MA/MAPD Carriers Contacting Clients

[insurance0707]

I've gotten two emails from two different MA/MAPD carriers stating they're contacting clients to see how they like the plan, if they are having any problems, etc. One of the carriers is even offering to those that aren't using their benefits very often to have a nurse or doctor come to their home and do a check up/physical in their home.....that seems kind of odd

anyone else getting these emails?

 

[policy doctor]

Well Universal (Pyramid..Today's Options) alerted me to that. Perhaps other companies are doing that behind the scenes surreptitiously .

I know I do that every couple months; especially if client is new to Medicare or Medicare advantage. With all the competition going on, you better do heavy client contact.

Re. those doc visits....i believe that applies to SNP's primarily. We don't have that service in a big way here in metro Atlalnta. Only carrier offering that for snp's is Care improvement.

However, I just left western NY and they are big on nurse practitioners coming out to the home...and also in Michigan. Perhaps all the Great Lakes area. Maybe agents from those areas will post and let us know what is happening in their regions. What area are you in?

 

[insurance0707]

I'm in Michigan. That's a good idea about checking in with your clients, I usually do it during AEP but maybe I'll start earlier this year.

 

[Insuranceman]

I've had clients contact me about UHC contacting them asking questions. Seems like their mostly concerned with how they were contacted for enrollment.

 

[Cenla Agent]

For many years Humana has had "new member specialists" contact new members. At that time they will ask questions about what health conditions they may have etc. to see how they may best serve them. They have certain programs that help those with certain conditions. Some other carriers (especially other big HMO companies) may have a similar approach.

If I'm not mistaken over the past two years with PFFS plans ALL members are contacted (or an attempt is made to contact them) shortly after enrollment to make sure they understand the plan (i.e. that it's not a supp, docs aren't contracted and thus are free to accept the plan this week and refuse to accept it the next, etc.) I think that was one of the changes following the PFFS moratorium that was imposed in mid 2007.
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I've gotten two emails from two different MA/MAPD carriers stating they're contacting clients to see how they like the plan, if they are having any problems, etc. One of the carriers is even offering to those that aren't using their benefits very often to have a nurse or doctor come to their home and do a check up/physical in their home.....that seems kind of odd

anyone else getting these emails?

It's really not odd at all, although this is the first I've heard of the company offering to send providers to the home. Not going to the doctor for long periods of time is considered a risk factor, especially for seniors. The company would rather catch conditions early than let a condition quietly develop into something very serious and cause much higher claims as a result.

Many MA agents, especially those working leads and who haven't been in the business long, are "transactional sellers" who sell the plan and hit the road, never to be heard from again. The member is doing good to get a business card from some of them. I'm not a fan of some of the MA companies, but from your description it sounds like they may be trying to actually provide some semblance of customer service. With the number of people who have no clue about their plan, (whether the agent did his job or not) perhaps the company feels it best to provide a little ongoing education instead of having to deal with complaints later on and problems with CMS, various state DOI's etc. related to people not understanding the plan. They probably also figure if they maintain contact with the member that the member will be less likely to switch during the next AEP/OEP.

 

[vreese]

policy doctor please send me pm with your contact info I don't have enough posts yet