I just received a response from Mr. Thomas regarding my email sent two days ago. I wish I could copy and paste his exact reply here, but I am afraid I will be breaking confidentiality rules.
He says that I was given "misinformation" and claims CMS "never" told the plans that enrollments in MA of people previously enrolled in a PDP and Original Medicare would be compensated at the initial rate. He goes further to say that the only enrollments in 2009 that would be compensated as initials were those who were brand new to Medicare or who were not previously enrolled in an MA, Cost or PDP.
Please take time to email him as well as all of your Carriers and let them know this is wrong and we intend to fight until it is corrected. At this point I don't know who to believe, but I will be BARKING at everyone involved. Keep getting LOUDER . . .
Here is his contact info:
Chevell L. Thomas| Marketing Team | Division of Policy, Analysis & Planning | Medicare Drug and Health Plan Contract Administration Group | Center for Drug and Health Plan Choice Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-22-04| Baltimore, MD21244-1850 410-786-1387/410-786-8933 [email protected]
My email to him is below . . .
Mr. Thomas,
I am an independent insurance broker representing several Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Part D Carriers. I have assisted and advised close to 1,000 new Medicare beneficiaries over the past 3 years. I constantly hear them speak of how confusing and overwhelming the "Medicare Process" is to understand. As a responsible independent agent I explain ALL of their options until they understand; then help them choose the plan that meets their needs. I take pride in what I do and deserve to be compensated appropriately. I am completely exhausted and angry at the fact the CMS has determined the best way to compensate me. I had been told in writing from your office that I would be compensated on beneficiaries who were "NEW" to Medicare Advantage or Part D. That compensation was to be called "1st year or Initial " commission payments and were to be double the amount of the "Renewals" which I would receive for years 2-5.
I took your word, invested several thousand dollars in marketing and spent many hours in the homes and on the phone with clients. I have been waiting now 6 months for my "True UP" balance . . . only to find out that CMS lied. I will only be receiving the "Renewal" commission / Half pay on clients that previously had PDP's, but had never been part of the Medicare Advantage Plan. This was not the agreement that CMS handed out to all the insurance companies and I would like to know who made this change. CMS's decision will cost me and my family $5000.00. Please let me know when to expect the remaining balance that is owed to me.
Regards,
He says that I was given "misinformation" and claims CMS "never" told the plans that enrollments in MA of people previously enrolled in a PDP and Original Medicare would be compensated at the initial rate. He goes further to say that the only enrollments in 2009 that would be compensated as initials were those who were brand new to Medicare or who were not previously enrolled in an MA, Cost or PDP.
Please take time to email him as well as all of your Carriers and let them know this is wrong and we intend to fight until it is corrected. At this point I don't know who to believe, but I will be BARKING at everyone involved. Keep getting LOUDER . . .
Here is his contact info:
Chevell L. Thomas| Marketing Team | Division of Policy, Analysis & Planning | Medicare Drug and Health Plan Contract Administration Group | Center for Drug and Health Plan Choice Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-22-04| Baltimore, MD21244-1850 410-786-1387/410-786-8933 [email protected]
My email to him is below . . .
Mr. Thomas,
I am an independent insurance broker representing several Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Part D Carriers. I have assisted and advised close to 1,000 new Medicare beneficiaries over the past 3 years. I constantly hear them speak of how confusing and overwhelming the "Medicare Process" is to understand. As a responsible independent agent I explain ALL of their options until they understand; then help them choose the plan that meets their needs. I take pride in what I do and deserve to be compensated appropriately. I am completely exhausted and angry at the fact the CMS has determined the best way to compensate me. I had been told in writing from your office that I would be compensated on beneficiaries who were "NEW" to Medicare Advantage or Part D. That compensation was to be called "1st year or Initial " commission payments and were to be double the amount of the "Renewals" which I would receive for years 2-5.
I took your word, invested several thousand dollars in marketing and spent many hours in the homes and on the phone with clients. I have been waiting now 6 months for my "True UP" balance . . . only to find out that CMS lied. I will only be receiving the "Renewal" commission / Half pay on clients that previously had PDP's, but had never been part of the Medicare Advantage Plan. This was not the agreement that CMS handed out to all the insurance companies and I would like to know who made this change. CMS's decision will cost me and my family $5000.00. Please let me know when to expect the remaining balance that is owed to me.
Regards,
