CMS – Search and Save

How big are these Medicare conglomerates who own us all?

Amber Lutes — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 20:32:48 +0000

This article first appeared on Linkedin on March 10, 2022, and is written by Scott Nichols

So just how big are these vast conglomerates who own us all in the world of Medicare marketing? Well if you combine the two biggest conglomerates out there “gobbling up” all the FMO’s across the country you will see the following.

They boast of having over 850,000 agents and advisors in their downline!

They outright own 7 national direct to consumer call centers and an expansive network of direct to consumer websites to compete against you! Their own downline agents! They own advertising agencies, lead companies, data companies and more. (By our count) They have currently consumed 236 FMO’s, Brokerages, and Financial & Wealth Planning companies. For you the agent, they offer free software so to make your Medicare quoting and enrollment easy.

Why free and so easy?

Well, if you look at their privacy policy’s or user agreements, they say you are permitting them to share your entered data for insurance purposes amongst their owned subsidiaries. They say they do not sell your data, so I guess they just want to borrow it for a while?

So who would be borrowing your client data? Well, ad agencies, lead companies, data companies, 236 insurance and financial brokerages and 850,000 agents. No! Really? Well you ok’d it right? The proof is in the experience. Ask yourself this, since you started using the “FREE” Medicare system and CRM from your vast conglomerate up line (or the free one from your FMO who was consumed by a vast conglomerate) have your clients been contacted more or less?

I’ll bet more. Much more!

According to recent published surveys from senior associations the average Medicare beneficiary receives up to 12 calls a day from a Medicare call center with at least 2-3 pieces of Medicare marketing mail. This of course doesn’t count AEP when it triples or more. “Senior benefits” “Medicare help line” “ “US Benefits” “Medicare Enroll” All these and more call your clients daily and many are owned by the vast conglomerate who bought your FMO.

There seems to be little a field agent can do to fight back against this hoard of insurance conquistadors, but here is one thing you can do.

PROTECT YOUR CLIENT DATA AND STOP GIVING IT TO THE VAST CONGLOMERATES (and formerly friendly partnering FMO’s) THROUGH THEIR MEDICARE SYSTEMS & CRM’S

Use our Search & Save Medicare system & CRM!

The Agent built and agent serviced Medicare system & CRM that is accurate, private, and secure.

The first line of our privacy policy reads

“We will never mine, sell, or share your client data with ANYONE EVER!”

Look, you don’t have to leave your BFF FMO.

You can swap stories, drinks, and laughs at their next Top Golf event.

But as far as the serious nature of protecting your client data from “sharing” you need us.

You pay less than $1 a day per user. You get to help keep your client data from being “shared” and you accuracy, privacy and protection.

30-day free trial with no credit card needed

Join the over 4000+ agents who are protecting their business by using Search & Save

-Scott Nichols

The risk agents take when using a third party marketing organization enrollment systems

Amber Lutes — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:05:05 +0000

This post first appeared on LinkedIn on March 15, 2023 and is written by Scott Nichols

It seems like these Medicare enrollment systems are everywhere. Many come from the vast conglomerates that have bought up our industry, but others come from upline FMO’s. They are usually free and convenient, and you have heard mw talk about why and the risk to your BOB’s they can pose, but there are other risk to using them agents don’t know until it affects a sale.

At this point you may be saying “What!” “No way!”

Yep, and my friends at CMS IT department agree with me on this one.

When you use a TPMO enrollment system you are completely depending on the TPMO and carrier systems being able to communicate with each other and that the data they have on your “ready to sell” status match.

They MUST match. This is done with what they call n the industry “TOOGLES.” Matching TOOGLES in both systems stating you are “ready to sell” means your client application will be processed and you will get paid. If these do not match and one system says your “ready to sell” and the other system says your not either the enrollment does not get processed, or you don’t get paid, or both. YIKES!

In a recent conversation I had with CMS IT they shared with me that these enrollment systems are headaches for them because of compliance issues and beneficiary complaints.

They asked me how our Search & Save system handles enrollment and when I told them we have a simple “agent portal” button next to the plan information for agents to click on and go directly to that carriers log in they were thrilled.

They even said they wished every Medicare (TPMO) system did this!

Here is what I think. I was raised with “too many cooks spoil the soup.”

Search & Save removed the middleman. No middleman. No Toggles. No complaints, and best of all, you get PAID!

The CMS Medicare plan finder revealed

Amber Lutes — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:57:13 +0000

This Post originally appeared on LinkedIn on March 31st 2023 and is written by Scott Nichols:

Today we highlight the Medicare Plan Finder tool offered by CMS Federal Medicare & Medicaid. Agents believe this tool is accurate. It is not

This tool ESTIMATES costs. That’s all. How do we know this? CMS told us directly!

This is how it really works.

The CMS Medicare Plan Finder only shows what the carriers have filed with Federal Medicare & Medicaid. CMS (Federal Medicare & Medicaid) and the Medicare Plan Finder tool are NOT connected to the insurance carriers servers. Therefore, if there is any change in plan benefits, RX costs, etc. they must wait for a new filing from the carrier, process that filing, and then put it on the Medicare Plan Finder Tool.

This can take a while. It is not in real time. It’s on Federal Government time. As one of the CMS employees in IT security shared with me, “We lean on the word estimate heavily” and “this is why we have links to the insurance carriers websites for people to go and check the estimate we show.”

Use Search & Save!

Through our national data vendor we are connected directly to the insurance carrier servers and get consistent updates from them. We do not need to wait around for the processing of new filings. We offer you Medicare quoting accuracy because we get the data from the source. The insurance carriers servers.

The best way to see if you like our Medicare system and CRM is to try it out

We offer a 30-day free trial with no credit card needed

To begin a trial go to my.searchandsave.org. Use any of the social media buttons to begin use.

A Deep Dive into that Privacy Policy You’ve Never Read!

Amber Lutes — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 21:52:02 +0000

A deep dive into the privacy policy you never read that’s harvesting & sharing your client data

This post originally appeared on LinkedIn on April 5th 2023 and is written by Scott Nichols

Good day, My topic today may sound boring, but it is not. It affects about every agent here today in a big way. By our own hectic lives and ignorance, many of us field agents have been taken advantage of in my opinion.

Today, I’m going to explain how many of you are feeding the beast that is consuming your client data. A beast that is then competing directly against you and undermining your business via the “Privacy Policy” you agreed to but never read.

Where is this you ask?

It is in the “free” quoting software and CRM being offered to you by the vast conglomerates taking over our industry. A recent history of our industry shows that in 2019 the major insurance carriers signed National Distribution Partnership agreements with a couple of vast conglomerates interested in buying up our industry.

These vast conglomerates received billions of dollars from venture capital companies and started to buy up FMO’s and more across the USA. It is speculated that most of these buyouts are 1- 3 yr deals, so the fallout to the field agent’s future is uncertain at best in these arrangements.

These conglomerates also have invested in mass media (TV, Radio, Online), Call centers (with the purchase of the largest call center in the USA in Miami, Fl.)

They have launched multiple websites and opened captive agency’s in our neighborhoods.

All of this being direct to consumer marketing in complete competition with the independent field agents they acquired through the FMO buyouts that have taken place.

The markets that have been affected by these actions are under 65 medical, group, Medicare, Life, Annuity, investments, LTC, and other financial products.

Here is a snapshot of what the two largest conglomerates have consumed as per their websites.

· 193 Insurance brokerages and FMO’s

· 24 Wealth and Retirement advisor outlets

· National data vendors

· Six direct to consumer call centers

· Advertising companies

· Lead companies

· Consumer Data Companies

In 2019 , (4 years ago) the largest of these conglomerates boasted 500,000 agents & advisors under its hierarchy. The second largest, had 350,000 reported in 2020.

So 3-4 years ago there were 850,000 agents and advisors under one of these two vast conglomerates

Can you imagine what the number is today? Here is a reality check.

These conglomerates offer you “free” quoting and CRM systems. Either directly through them or via their owned FMO sub-entities. When you use them and enter client data for a quote or enrollment your data is subject to their Privacy Policy use and you agree to it.

This privacy policy is rarely ever read. Today, I will show you what you may have agreed to.

For our example today, let’s look at the privacy policy from the largest of the conglomerates out there. This privacy policy currently affects more than 500,000 agents and advisors.

Personal information we collect:

They collect name, email, postal address, SS#, age, race, marital status, sex / gender (except CA), products / services purchased, interactions with conglomerate owned websites, applications, advertisements

Sources of the information:

Direct , AFFILIATES and SUBSIDIARIES (your FMO) AGENTS (you!) Lead Vendors, and more

Use of personal information:

Provide products and services + marketing, and promotion of products & services offered to the consumer

Sharing of personal information:

“The company may share the personal information of consumers with agents, carriers, service providers”

FMO’s (consumed and not yet consumed) have “private” or “white labeled” quoting and enrollment systems that they offer to you at no cost.

Here is the privacy policy from the largest of these private label developers that you agree to when using their platform.

What they collect, how you need to check the privacy policy periodically as it will be updated without notice and who they can share your client data with.

It’s not just the big conglomerate systems privacy policy. The FMO private labels need to read carefully too

Who they can sell or transfer the data to:

They say they don’t sell data, but then say they can?

Some agents say, “I don’t use those systems. I use Medicare.gov”

Our Search & Save Medicare system & CRM has gone through many reviews by CMS.

We have learned much from these interactions with the CMS IT, Marketing, Compliance, and Surveillance departments.

Here are some important takeaway facts you need to remember.

· Medicare only shows what the carrier’s FILE

· The Medicare.gov plan finder IS NOT connected to the carrier servers

· Medicare can only update information on their site once a carrier FILES updated information with them

· It is NOT instant. Accuracy anyone?

What can you do?

· We are NOT independent

· Most of us are OWNED by one of these vast conglomerates via our FMO connections who sold out to them

· Our CLIENT DATA is more valuable then our commissions to these entities

· We MUST protect our CLIENT DATA from them and their use of it

What did we do to combat this?

· Created an agent built and serviced Medicare system & CRM (Search & Save)to protect data!

· Connected to the carrier servers for accuracy

· Connected to the carrier servers for Provider & facility search

· HIPAA, Soc2, PCI compliant

· Printouts approved by CMS

· 2700+ agent users and GROWING

· Mission statement: “provide accuracy, BOB privacy, and security to insurance agents using it.”

· Our Privacy Policy first line reads: “We will never mine, sell, or share your client data with ANYONE EVER!”

Action steps to start protecting your client data

· Read the privacy policy on the Medicare system and CRM you are using

· Disengage from the vast conglomerates and FMO’s

· Stop using your “FREE” system from the vast conglomerate or FMO

· Do what you can to get your client data exported out of there

· Only enroll on the carrier sites

· Consider Search & Save for accuracy, BOB privacy & security

–Scott Nichols

CMS Marketing Changes 2024 Announced

brad0525 — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:44:00 +0000

This post first appeared on Linkedin on April 27 2023 and is written by Scott Nichols

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced major changes to the Medicare marketing guidelines set to take effect in 2024.

As we count down the final months before these new CMS regulations go into effect in 2024, it is vital for those involved in healthcare marketing to remain up-to-date on all relevant policy changes so that they can ensure compliance with these important rules. Doing so will not only protect your business from potential legal entanglements but also help you maximize your reach with potential customers while providing them with accurate information about their health care needs.

Telemarketing rules for Medicare plans in 2024:

1. Telemarketers must disclose to consumers that they are calling from a telemarketing firm, and the name of the organization they are calling on behalf of.

2. Telemarketers must provide all important plan information at the start of the call, including but not limited to premiums, benefits, co-pays and deductibles.

3. Telemarketers must offer an opt-out option for consumers who do not wish to receive further calls.

4. Calls cannot be made before 8 a.m or after 9 p.m local time, unless the consumer has given permission to contact them outside these hours.

5. Calls cannot exceed three minutes in length unless extended by the consumer’s request.

6. All telemarketing calls must comply with applicable federal and state laws regarding Do Not Call lists and other regulations pertaining to telemarketing activity.

In 2024, direct mail marketing campaigns must adhere to the following rules as outlined by the CMS:

1. All mailing lists must be obtained from a legitimate source with permission granted for each recipient, and all sent emails must include an opt-out option.

2. Mailings must include accurate contact information of the sender.

3. All mailings should include a statement indicating the content is an advertisement or promotional material.

4. Mailings should not contain false or misleading statements or illustrations.

5. The mailing must not contain any obscene, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate material.

6. Any offers included must clearly explain eligibility requirements and product details in plain language that is easy to understand for recipients of all ages and backgrounds.

7. Advertisements for products and services that are illegal in any jurisdiction may not be used in direct mail marketing campaigns without explicit authorization from local authorities first being obtained.

For 2024 advertising, all content must comply with the following CMS (Content Management System) marketing rules:

1. All advertisements must contain accurate and up-to-date information regarding the product or service being advertised.

2. All claims made in the advertisement must be substantiated with reliable evidence or data.

3. Advertisers may not knowingly misinform, mislead, or deceive consumers through their advertisements.

4. Ads must clearly distinguish between editorial content and advertising messages. The source of any sponsored content should be identified as such to consumers.

5. Advertising should not contain language that discriminates against individuals on the basis of race, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability status, marital status, military status or other characteristics protected by law.

6. Ads should adhere to industry standards on health and safety for products or services being promoted.

7. Ads should always respect cultural sensitivities when targeting different audiences including respecting religious customs by avoiding holidays or holy days associated with particular religions or cultures when launching campaigns or promotions related to those cultures and religions.

If you are looking for something that will help become more accurate with your Medicare quoting, provide privacy for your entered client data, and security that it will NEVER be mined, sold, or shared EVER, please look at our Search & Save system & CRM.

4000+ agents trust us. See why you should too. 30-day free trail with no credit card needed.

-Scott Nichols