Retail Pharmacies During AEP

[MrMack]

Why not set up there, run part D reviews for people, help them enroll in part D plans (not for commission) and generate med supp leads. Just takes a laptop and wifi connection. That way you're not locked in with a specific advantage plan, or part D for marketing, and you can answer any questions they throw at you honestly. You're not selling or marketing anything, you're helping them use the government drug plan comparison website tool.

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You are required to tell CMS what days and hours you will be at your booth. You must notify them 2 or 3 months ahead. This is so they can send their secret shoppers in to see if you are breaking the rules. At one Wal-Mart in Illinois, they were secret shopped the 2nd day they were there. The booth was empty at the scheduled date and time so they got in trouble for violating CMS regulations!

 

[policy doctor]

When I first heard about this, I had the same reaction. Why not just contact some local pharmacies and do my own set-ups?

Then I remembered a few years back when I tried this, that the chain pharmacies have to get Corporate approval, which you will never get as an independent. So it has to be a independently owned store...how many of those are left?

Then you have to decide if you will run a Sales event or Educational Event. Logistically, most stores are cramped for space. I think seminar events will give you the best return.

 

[AgentPipeline]

The majority of the ideas and comments on here seem to be right on the money. How the agents did in the Wal-Marts last year was greatly dependent on the agent's relationship with the store managers and other employees. A good relationship and a strong MA offering from UHC, led to several agents writing over 100 applications in the stores during the enrollment periods.

The change this year to the smaller, mostly pharmacies, should pay off for the agents. All booths will be set up right beside the doors when you first walk in to the store. Also, relationships with store managers should be much easier to maintain for the agents in the smaller stores. UHC has also said they will drop 10 million mailers advertising the booths during the AEP, as well as refer AARP call in leads to agents in stores.

IMO, the best fit for these stores are agents that will write between 50 – 100 enrollments during the AEP. If you have more than that, it may be difficult to be in store for the required times.

All in all, many agents are excited for the opportunity to work in the drug stores this year, especially with no more OEP, this represents an opportunity to see dozens of seniors a day without having to be in more than one place. If anybody would like additional details, simply let us know either by PM or by calling the number below.

 

[Norwayguy]

You are required to tell CMS what days and hours you will be at your booth. You must notify them 2 or 3 months ahead. This is so they can send their secret shoppers in to see if you are breaking the rules. At one Wal-Mart in Illinois, they were secret shopped the 2nd day they were there. The booth was empty at the scheduled date and time so they got in trouble for violating CMS regulations!

I don't believe I would be required to notify CMS if I am not ceritified or appointed with any part C or D plans and review the Part D for no commission just like the Pharmacist and Social Workers and If I then sold Med Supps to these people I do not believe I have violated any rules?

 

[aheff]

I did this at Rite Aid store in New Jersey for Aetna. Horrible return (2 apps) for my investment (many, many hours of my time). Perhaps I had 2 bad locations, but there was very little activity. Perhaps an earlier poster nailed it-location, location, location.

 

[ILUVSAILZ]

Peter I would advise you to think twice before you leap here- you are considering helping individuals that look to you for guidance in CMS' arena -certified or not. It is an infraction.

It's the equivalent of innocently discussing securities without an applicable designation, with the best of intentions and none of which to be compensated.

 

[Norwayguy]

Peter I would advise you to think twice before you leap here- you are considering helping individuals that look to you for guidance in CMS' arena -certified or not. It is an infraction.

It's the equivalent of innocently discussing securities without an applicable designation, with the best of intentions and none of which to be compensated.

It wasn't me that was thinking about doing it...An earlier poster mentioned it and I can't see how CMS can regulate me if I do not sell a CMS regulated product. I often help my client enroll in Part D plans because I don't want to certify or deal with them for $25. Also the last Independent Pharmacy in my area sold out to walgreens last year so the idea of working with an independent sounds good but is impractical for me.

 

[AttillaTheOne]

Hi Norwayguy,

Please be very careful about your thoughts of becoming a consumer advocate and discussing Part D plans with these folks.
I guess you have turned in your insurance license and are starting Mother Teresa Medicare Advice Centers?

CMS first question will be, Why do you want to give away FREE Advice with nothing to gain? The ultimate purpose of your advice booth is to sell them something. BE CAREFUL!!!!
Be upfront, do it the right way and tell everyone you are a CAPITALIST PIG. If you are a pinko socialist Obama Lover then go right ahead with your plan, CMS will be redistributing your wealth faster then you can say, It's Bush's Fault!

Good luck

 

[Norwayguy]

Hi Norwayguy,

Please be very careful about your thoughts of becoming a consumer advocate and discussing Part D plans with these folks.
I guess you have turned in your insurance license and are starting Mother Teresa Medicare Advice Centers?

CMS first question will be, Why do you want to give away FREE Advice with nothing to gain? The ultimate purpose of your advice booth is to sell them something. BE CAREFUL!!!!
Be upfront, do it the right way and tell everyone you are a CAPITALIST PIG. If you are a pinko socialist Obama Lover then go right ahead with your plan, CMS will be redistributing your wealth faster then you can say, It's Bush's Fault!

Good luck

Attilla,

Thank you for your concern. You need not worry as I posted previously I was commenting on anothers idea. The idea is moot for me as of last year my area no longer has an Independet Pharmacy. I most certainly am a Capitalist Pig. My only question is CMS should not be able to comment on my business if I am not selling the products that they regulate.

I don't disagree with you that if CMS was to become awarre of something like that that they would try to do something. But don't you agree that CMS only has a regulatory power over the sale and marketing of part c&d plans?

 

[ksigmtsu]

You are required to tell CMS what days and hours you will be at your booth. You must notify them 2 or 3 months ahead. This is so they can send their secret shoppers in to see if you are breaking the rules. At one Wal-Mart in Illinois, they were secret shopped the 2nd day they were there. The booth was empty at the scheduled date and time so they got in trouble for violating CMS regulations!

Not if I'm not selling anything. No need to register, no need to report, no need for secret shoppers. I'm saying use the medicare.gov site with seniors to help them enter their drugs and see which plans are cheapest. Explain fully that you are not their agent, you are not selling them their plan, but you are doing it to help with their confusion, and if they need help with a Medicare supplement you'd be happy to help them with that as well.

There is no CMS regulation against that. Not selling the plan D is not regulated. You can sell supplements sitting at the table at the same time if you want, supplements aren't regulated. If they ask about MA, you can have them fill out a card requesting an appointment, frankly I don't see how legally you could even get in trouble for having them fill out an SOA right then if THEY initiated the conversation, unless you are actively marketing the plan. You're not there to market the MA plan, you're there to do part D reviews and help seniors, and collect leads for supplements.