Fellow MA/ Med Supp/ PDP Professionals of Excellence,
As the Annual Election Period (AEP) draws near, it's time to gear up and embrace the opportunity to enhance your expertise. Knowledge is your secret weapon, and it's time to wield it like a pro! This only happens by mastering the fundamentals of our industry. So, during your AHIP or carrier MA/PDP annual training, don't skip over the stuff you think you may already know. How long after skipping over some of the basics year after year could you begin to forget some essential facts about our industry? How long before that lackadaisical attitude infects other areas of your professional career?
We have a responsibility to our clients to provide them with accurate and complete information. This can only be accomplished by doing our due diligence as insurance agents and being at the top of our knowledge game through endless study and learning. Not only what we are required to know, but everything we could possibly know. Be proficient in all things Medicare, CMS rules and regulations, and carrier product information.
Mastering the fundamentals is fundamental to the success of professionals in any profession. Take professional sports, for instance. Athletes like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, and other greats have acknowledged it was their incessant practicing of the fundamentals that set them apart from their peers. In our industry, mastering the fundamentals is key to your AEP success!
CMS, like the ever-changing seasons, can introduce new rules and guidelines that impact your marketing strategies. Staying ahead of the curve is vital! Take some time to familiarize yourself with recent changes. Brush up on what's acceptable and what's not when it comes to marketing Medicare plans. By staying compliant and informed, you build trust with your clients and avoid any compliance pitfalls.
Embrace the richness of carrier product information. Think of yourself as an adventurer on a quest for the hidden treasures of carrier product information! Each carrier offers unique Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans, and your job is to be an expert on their offerings. Study their plans inside out – know the coverage details, provider networks, and prescription drug formularies. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be the hero who matches beneficiaries with plans tailored to their needs.
In conclusion, my fellow professionals, this time of year is no time for complacency. It's the perfect moment to level up your knowledge and skills. Master the basics of Medicare, keep up with CMS' rules, and dive into carrier product information using AHIP training, Carrier MA/PDP annual training, and CMS educational material. With your profound knowledge, you'll stride into the AEP with confidence, ready to conquer any challenge and provide your clients with top-notch service.
If you are a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement / PDP agent that holds yourself to higher standards, always striving for excellence in what you do… we want you to join us!
We are Certified Medicare Insurance Planner™, DBA. Home of the CMIP® professional designation, a community of insurance professionals possessing our core "K.E.E." standards of knowledge, experience, and ethics, enabling them to be the best they can be in their field. Go to www.certifiedmedicareinsuranceplanner.org for more information. And, if you qualify, join our family of professionals today.
To all our CMIR™, CMIS™, and CMIP® designation holders… thank you for your commitment to excellence.
Kevin Firth, President, Certified Medicare Insurance Plannerâ„¢, DBA