It’s AEP! See what’s new for Medicare Advantage

George Brett partnership continues in 2023 AEP marketing

We are excited to share George Brett, MLB^® and Royals Hall of Famer, will continue as our Blue, Through and Through partner for the 2023 Blue Medicare Advantage marketing campaign. Our campaign materials include all new images of George at Kauffman Stadium. 

Marketing support available on the agent portal

The Blue KC marketing team is offering a Broker Toolkit with materials you can download, personalize, and print for your use. These materials include required disclaimers that may not be removed. Materials may only be altered to personalize with your contact information as it is filed with CMS. 

The popular Plans-at-a-Glance is available to download and print as a CMS-approved, beneficiary-facing piece (Please discard the broker placemat you received at the broker roll out session and use this approved version.)

Find these resources at Agent Portal > Resources > Marketing Communications > Agent Materials > Medicare Advantage.

Important: Update Blue Medicare Advantage information kits with 2023 Stars flyers

CMS has released the 2023 Star Ratings. Please replace 2022 Stars flyers with 2023 Stars flyers in the back pocket of Blue Medicare Advantage information kits¹. You will receive a supply of 2023 flyers from us soon. Stay tuned for an upcoming Blue Agent Alert with more information.

If you need additional information kits, you can request them at MAkitrequest@bluekc.com.

¹CMS requires replacement of 2023 Star Ratings by October 28, 2022.

2023 Blue Medicare Advantage plans include exclusive access to Spira Care Centers

All six Blue Medicare Advantage plans include exclusive access to Spira Care Centers in 2023. Spira Care Centers will populate as “in-network” in the provider look-up tool beginning January 1, 2023.

Member ID cards display member PCP

As a reminder, Medicare Advantage member ID cards include the primary care provider (PCP) the member sees for routine services. The PCP displayed will be based on member selection or provider of record from claims experience.

This supports continuity of member care and allows for notification of the relevant PCP if, for instance, a member has a hospital stay or ER visit. Members in the HMO and PPO network will continue to have flexibility to see their provider of choice. And members can choose to have a different PCP displayed on their card by calling Customer Service at the number on their member ID card.

Plan Finder update 

Please be aware of an update to Plan Finder for 2023. When a member looks at drug coverage for Blue KC plans, a message will display indicating a preferred in-network pharmacy may lower their costs. However, when the member clicks on “Find Preferred In-Network Pharmacies” and “Show Only Preferred In-Network Pharmacies” another message will display indicating Blue KC does not have preferred in-network pharmacies. This is because Blue KC has an open pharmacy network, which means the member can go to any of our in-network pharmacies and receive the same low-cost share at all in-network pharmacies. 

If a client asks, please share this discrepancy in messaging and assure they are covered through our open pharmacy network

Third-party marketing organization oversight

Effective October 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires Medicare Advantage plans to have greater oversight of third-party marketing organizations (TPMO) to detect and prevent the use of confusing or potentially misleading activities to enroll beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans.

What is a TPMO?

Organizations and individuals, including independent agents and brokers, who are compensated to perform lead generation, marketing, sales, and enrollment-related functions as a part of the chain of enrollment (i.e., the steps taken by a beneficiary, from awareness of an MA plan or plans to making an enrollment decision). 

What are the new requirements?

1. TPMOs MUST use a new disclaimer
   
   DISCLAIMER: “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.” 
   
   When you must use this disclaimer:
   • If you sell plans on behalf of more than one MA organization unless you sell all commercially available MA plans in a given service area.
   • Verbally conveyed within the first minute of a sales call. 
   • Electronically conveyed when communicating with a beneficiary through email, online chat, or other electronic means of communication. 
   • Prominently displayed on websites. 
   • Included in any marketing materials, including print materials and television advertisements, developed or distributed by the TPMO.
2. TPMOs MUST disclose to Blue KC any subcontracted relationships used for marketing, lead generation, and enrollment. 
    
3. TPMOs MUST record all calls with beneficiaries in their entirety, including the enrollment process. 
    
4. TPMOs MUST report to Blue KC monthly any staff disciplinary actions or violations of any requirements that apply to Blue KC and the associated beneficiary.
5. When conducting lead generating activities, either directly or indirectly for Blue KC, you must, when applicable:
   • Disclose to the beneficiary that his or her information will be provided to a licensed agent for future contact. This disclosure must be provided as follows:
     • Verbally when communicating with a beneficiary through telephone. 
     • In writing when communicating with a beneficiary through mail or other paper. 
     • Electronically when communicating with a beneficiary through email, online chat, or other electronic messaging platform. 
   • Disclose to the beneficiary that he or she is being transferred to a licensed agent who can enroll him or her into a new plan.