With Appreciation, Gratitude, and Anticipation

Dear CMIP®, CMIS™, and CMIR™ Designation Holders,

We want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the professionalism, dedication, and integrity you demonstrated throughout this demanding AEP season.

Your commitment to serving Medicare beneficiaries with care, patience, and clarity continues to define what it means to be a trusted Medicare professional with a designation from the Society of Medicare Planners™. In moments when guidance truly matters, an agent who has a CMIP®, CMIS™, or CMIR™ designation has the knowledge, experience, and ethics (our K.E.E. difference) necessary to help Medicare beneficiaries properly navigate the complexities of Medicare insurance.

Because of your efforts, countless individuals and families were able to make confident healthcare decisions—gaining not only coverage, but reassurance and peace of mind. Your work goes far beyond enrollment; it brings dignity, stability, and hope to those you serve.

We hope you enjoyed a blessed Christmas filled with joy, rest, and meaningful time with loved ones. As we look ahead, may the coming new year bring renewed purpose, continued success, and abundant opportunities to serve with excellence.

You may have noticed that we are now operating under the name Society of Medicare Planners™. This updated name better reflects our mission and the professional community we serve. The Society of Medicare Planners™ is a division of Medicare Planners LLC, and continues to stand for education, integrity, and excellence within the Medicare insurance profession as a professional credentialing and designation organization.

In the coming year, we will also be introducing new opportunities for professional growth, including an advanced achievement designation—the Fellow of the Society of Medicare Planners™. This Fellowship will be available exclusively to CMIP® designation holders and will represent the highest level of professional accomplishment within our organization and the Medicare Insurance Industry. More details will be shared soon.

Thank you for representing the Society of Medicare Planners™ with integrity and professionalism, and for upholding the high standards symbolized by your CMIP®, CMIS™, and CMIR™ designations.

With heartfelt appreciation and best wishes for a blessed, joyful, and prosperous New Year,

Kevin Firth, President

Society of Medicare Planners™

A Division of Medicare Planners™ LLC

Happy Thanksgiving!

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU!

Dear CMIP / CMIS / CMIR Family,

On this Thanksgiving day, we want to send a heartfelt message to the people who make this organization what it is — you. Every day, you bring compassion, patience, professionalism, and real heart into the lives of the Medicare beneficiaries you serve. And even if that dedication isn’t always fully recognized by carriers or by CMS, we see it. More importantly, the seniors and families you help see it too.

You are part of a family of professionals who chose to go beyond the minimum. You chose to learn more, to give more, to serve more — and that commitment is the foundation of the CMIP mission. You embody the K.E.E. difference through your knowledge, experience, and ethics, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have you representing this organization.

As you gather with your own families and loved ones this Thanksgiving, we hope you’re able to rest, recharge, laugh, and enjoy the people who matter most. Please know that on this holiday, and every day, the CMIP administration team is grateful for you, proud of you, and honored to call you part of our family.

From our table to yours — Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for all that you do!

With warmth and appreciation,

Kevin Firth, President

Certified Medicare Insurance Planner, DBA

Protecting the Reputation of Medicare Insurance Agents: Why Ethics and Compliance Matter

In the ever-evolving world of Medicare insurance, trust is everything. As agents, we are not just representing ourselves; we represent an entire industry built on helping America's seniors make some of the most important decisions of their lives. That's why it is absolutely essential that we follow ethical practices and adhere to CMS marketing rules and guidelines.

The unfortunate reality is that it only takes a few bad actors to tarnish the image of the entire profession. Misleading marketing tactics, aggressive or deceptive sales strategies, and failure to follow CMS regulations (which seem to be commonplace for many TPMO call centers) can quickly erode public trust. These unethical practices don't just harm the seniors who fall victim to them; they cast a shadow over every agent in the field, including those who work with honesty, professionalism, and integrity.

Ethics and reputation matter in an industry as sensitive and highly regulated as Medicare. When a beneficiary sees a misleading advertisement or is pressured into enrolling in a plan that doesn't meet their needs, it creates skepticism and fear. Even seniors who haven't had a negative experience themselves may become hesitant to engage with agents at all simply because they've heard or read about unethical behavior. This environment of mistrust makes it harder for ethical agents to do their jobs effectively, and it hurts the very people we are meant to serve.

We must also consider the expectations and values of the senior citizens who make up the majority of Medicare beneficiaries. These are individuals who were raised in an era where honesty, personal responsibility, and doing the right thing were not just virtues, they were expected. A handshake meant something. A promise was kept. They approach their healthcare decisions with those same values in mind, expecting their agents to be truthful, transparent, and respectful.

When we as agents fail to meet those expectations, we're not just risking a lost sale or a compliance violation; we're breaking a bond of trust. That trust, once broken, is extremely difficult to rebuild. On the other hand, when we uphold ethical standards and demonstrate integrity, we reinforce confidence in the Medicare insurance industry as a whole.

As Medicare health insurance agents, we have the power to either elevate or diminish the public's perception of our profession. It's up to us to ensure that we maintain high standards, not only to avoid penalties or preserve our individual reputations, but to safeguard the integrity of the industry as a whole.

By leading with ethics, respecting CMS rules, and keeping the values of our clients at the heart of every interaction, we help protect the good name of all Medicare health insurance agents and, more importantly, we help build a future of trust, service, and respect for the Medicare beneficiaries we serve.

The elite professional agents who have earned our CMIP®(Certified Medicare Insurance Planner™), CMIS™(Certified Medicare Insurance Specialist), and CMIR™(Certified Medicare Insurance Representative) designations possess our core "K.E.E." values of Knowledge, Ethics, and Experience that is necessary to help Medicare beneficiaries properly navigate the complexities of Medicare Insurance. If you possess these values and want to be a part of a community of professionals who strive for excellence in everything they do, go to www.certifiedmedicareinsuranceplanner.org and apply today.

Thank you for all that you do,

Kevin Firth, President

Certified Medicare Insurance Planner™, DBA