Do You Use the Term Medicare Replacement when Selling MA ?

[allhealthandlife]

We are trained to try to explain MA without using the term " it replaces your Medicare " so if my competition doesn't use the term i would be at a disadvantage when selling.

The problem is, even though i really try to make them understand that MA is different from original Medicare, that on their first visit to their doctor they hear "Medicare replacement" for the first time and quite often it scares them.And on top of that even if the plan you sold them was a PPO is still shows up as an HMO in the doctors claim system.Sometimes the doctor's office will even tell them they don't have Medicare anymore.These are the doctors that are O.K with MA .The ones that really dislike MA will you completely trash MA and scare the hell out of the subscriber.

I was thinking that if CMS required all agents to use the term " Medicare replacement " at least we would all be on the same footing as far as our sales presentation.Even better if CMS just renamed MA " Private Medicare Replacement Plans " then at least there would be less confusion.

 

[patch36]

Suggest another regulation or rule. I am sure they would love to implement more of them.

I never use the phrase Medicare Replacement, BTW. I agree with you that it is confusing, but CMS made it that way.

 

[retread]

Suggest another regulation or rule. I am sure they would love to implement more of them.

I never use the phrase Medicare Replacement, BTW. I agree with you that it is confusing, but CMS made it that way.

I have been confronted with this term myself. The problem is that those office clerks come across as if they know what they are talking about, and it is a shame.

When at the doctor's office last fall, I was trying to make sure that my "Welcome to Medicare" exam was coded properly on the CPT form. The billing clerk told me... "You don't have Medicare anymore", to which I replied "Yes, I do."
She: "No you don't, you have a Medicare Replacement policy"
Me: "Actually, I have a Medicare Advantage plan"
She: "You don't have Medicare then and Coventry is not going to cover this."
Me: "Medicare Advantage IS a Medicare plan, and it ADMINISTERS Parts A and B. It is a Medicare Part C plan."
She: "Oh, who told you that?"
Me: "Medicare. I am a licensed insurance agent certified to sell Medicare insurance, and besides, I already contacted Coventry and they assured me they do cover this type exam."
She: "Well, we were never told about this. We need somebody like you to come in and give us some training"
Me: "I have been telling the doctor, his nurse, and whoever else would listen that I am available to do this for a year, now. Just call me for an appointment."

I am still waiting for that call (going on 5 months, now).

 

[allhealthandlife]

I have been confronted with this term myself. The problem is that those office clerks come across as if they know what they are talking about, and it is a shame.

When at the doctor's office last fall, I was trying to make sure that my "Welcome to Medicare" exam was coded properly on the CPT form. The billing clerk told me... "You don't have Medicare anymore", to which I replied "Yes, I do."
She: "No you don't, you have a Medicare Replacement policy"
Me: "Actually, I have a Medicare Advantage plan"
She: "You don't have Medicare then and Coventry is not going to cover this."
Me: "Medicare Advantage IS a Medicare plan, and it ADMINISTERS Parts A and B. It is a Medicare Part C plan."
She: "Oh, who told you that?"
Me: "Medicare. I am a licensed insurance agent certified to sell Medicare insurance, and besides, I already contacted Coventry and they assured me they do cover this type exam."
She: "Well, we were never told about this. We need somebody like you to come in and give us some training"
Me: "I have been telling the doctor, his nurse, and whoever else would listen that I am available to do this for a year, now. Just call me for an appointment."

I am still waiting for that call (going on 5 months, now).

There you go. Between the true disdain of MA by many doctors and the lazy azz ignorant staff they hire that give out false information with confidence i have lost many potential sales and had quite a few rapid disenrollments.

I honestly don't blame the doctors for not liking MA but before they tell patients they are bad they should consider that the only other choice for the patient is the buy an expensive Med Supp.You think the doctor would help the patient with the premium ?

 

[retread]

There you go. Between the true disdain of MA by many doctors and the lazy azz ignorant staff they hire that give out false information with confidence i have lost many potential sales and had quite a few rapid disenrollments.

I honestly don't blame the doctors for not liking MA but before they tell patients they are bad they should consider that the only other choice for the patient is the buy an expensive Med Supp.You think the doctor would help the patient with the premium ?

I have been going to the same doctor for over 15 years. His staff has just been replaced since he and his partners quit their private practice and hired on with the hospital, and now use the hospital staff.

It is more than coincidental that I hear the term "Medicare Replacement" when it comes to MA plans. I think Medicare is sending representatives to hospitals and referring to these plans as Medicare Replacements in their seminars. I don't have proof of this, but it seems very likely.

 

[Joe Moore]

I have been going to the same doctor for over 15 years. His staff has just been replaced since he and his partners quit their private practice and hired on with the hospital, and now use the hospital staff.

It is more than coincidental that I hear the term "Medicare Replacement" when it comes to MA plans. I think Medicare is sending representatives to hospitals and referring to these plans as Medicare Replacements in their seminars. I don't have proof of this, but it seems very likely.

And don't you just love it when the clients are informed by the girl at the doctor's office that "they have LOST their Medicare"? Suddenly the agent that put Mama in this stupid plan had to be up to no good.