MSAs Poised for Popularity? -- Lasso focused article

[Todd King]

U65 Medigap plans in most states have a "defensive wall" against ESRD clients. It is called ultra high premiums. Plan G U65 in Georgia start north of $600 per month for most carriers.

TransAm in the $290 range but aren't they pulling out of the Medigap business?

Reserve National was the low price leader in the $250 range but recently tripled their rates for new entrants.

That leaves State Farm @ $360 for now. I wonder how many SF agents even know what ESRD means?

Wonder what MA plans will do when they have to take ESRD? Can they design a plan ONLY FOR ESRD or would CMS hammer than on that?

Or maybe that plan won't be available for agents to write. Or they can write but $0 commission.

Not only are the premiums high for <65, they have to qualify for it as well. That's a defensive wall that they can't get over.

 

[TwoCents]

Wonder what MA plans will do when they have to take ESRD? Can they design a plan ONLY FOR ESRD or would CMS hammer than on that?

Yes, it's called an ESRD special needs plan (few and far between at the moment), but of course ESRD patients would have choices beyond that starting in 2021.

 

[somarco]

Not only are the premiums high for <65, they have to qualify for it as well.

In GA if the apply for Medigap during their IEP no health questions. After that they are SOL.

MA plans give them 63 days into IEP. After that they can come in during open enrollment.

Problem with Medigap is no one can afford $7k+ in premiums. Most U65 folks go with MA unless they are past the 63 days, then they can get the MA with ESRD.

That changes in 2021.

 

[Northeast Agent]

TwoCents said:

Yes, it's called an ESRD special needs plan (few and far between at the moment), but of course ESRD patients would have choices beyond that starting in 2021.

I was on a call with Anthem the other day and they will have a ESRD CSNP in 2021 in AZ.

I have a LOT of MA certs to do as I sell in both PA and NJ, where there are lots of plans. I've only done a couple so far, but maybe some others will have this CSNP as well.

 

[LostDollar]

MSA Medicare Advantage products have some specific rules and regulations that are peculiar to only them.

That's why I'm trying to identify future what ifs that could affect someone dropping a supplement who will never have the ability to go back.
I never wrote MO plan N for that reason. GLAD I didn't. Many agents did and didn't give a crap what happened.

Just trying to figure out the future bogie man's with this product. So far haven't been able to find the answers needed.
I would think if LASSO actuaries have an idea this can get turned upside down with tons of bad risks they would show their hand to discourage that. Mutual of Omaha was arrogant when I tried asking these same questions and how did that turn out?

There are some 2021 Lasso preliminary program reviews being offered by various IMO's. They might answer some of your questions. I am not an agent with an NPN so I can't get access to them to see what kind of information they contain, but you should have no problem.

I do not understand the comments I find about MA funding very well, but it looks like the government has removed MA plan responsibility for paying for the cost of finding a kidney and that they have also made some kind of changes for payments for ESRD coverage, so maybe the MA plan risk or exposure in 2021 is not quite as bad as you are visualizing.

 

[LostDollar]

when Craig brings this to Florida, I will be first in line to offer it

I think you need to get to 2021 Lasso previews from one of your IMO's.

 

[axeman462]

I think you need to get to 2021 Lasso previews from one of your IMO's.

they're in Florida?? Who offers Lasso?

 

[LostDollar]

they're in Florida?? Who offers Lasso?

I get in trouble when I start talking about IMO's.

However.....

I think

SMS Columbia Mo and New Horizons Marketing would be two good starting places. Since Craig Ritter is a principal, Ritter also carries them. This is their (Lasso's) third year so I am sure there are a number of others.

Edit:
starting weblinks, you'll have to take it from there. I'd get myself into a bunch of recruiting calls and/or get blocked with no NPN if I tried to go deeper.

2021 Lasso Rollout - Senior Marketing Specialists
Lasso Healthcare MSA Upcoming Webinars

end edit

 

[LostDollar]

2021 service area includes 34 states plus Washington, D.C.

Expanded service area. No more regions. And, a choice between TWO market-hot plans in every service area location. Make room in your portfolio for the 2021 Lasso Healthcare MSA.

Presumably "no more regions" and "TWO market-hot plans" means plan changes and crosswalking for current Lasso MSA members.

When that can be discussed in public, that would be useful information for folks to see.

 

[TwoCents]

Presumably "no more regions" and "TWO market-hot plans" means plan changes and crosswalking for current Lasso MSA members.

When that can be discussed in public, that would be useful information for folks to see.

For the at-home sleuths, CMS plan crosswalk info can be found here (2021 not available at this time) Plan Crosswalks | CMS