supersupps
Guru
- 534
My lead guy tells me they need 2 1/2 weeks to get back leads from the day they start the process. When would be the best time to start sending out leads for MA, etc
Best Time to Send Out a Mailer for AEP for MA
- Thread starter supersupps
- Start date
- 11,997
That's a guessing game for everyone.
- 700
the obvious answer is at least 3 weeks before AEP, but you might want to consider earlier if you have some plans that are non-renewing, leaving an SEP for those customers
Considering this thread dates back to July, I have the following comment:
You cannot MARKET MA plans for the coming AEP prior to 10/1. That means no cards, letters, OR APPOINTMENTS. With this restriction, the only reasonable answer is to get all your marketing ready to go and hit the post office 10/1.
That said, you might send out a generic piece prior to 10/1 with just a comment to raise questions about Medicare (not mentioning Medicare Advantage plans) and have them call you back. In which case, what are you going to tell them? None of the carriers will release the new benefits for consumption prior to 10/1! If you notice, all the info with "leaked" benefits for next year specifically forbid this to be passed on to beneficiaries. That info is plainly marked "FOR AGENT USE ONLY", and carriers always warn agents not to release this info to the public because it may be revised at the last minute.
And if you think you can skirt around the issue by saying you are canvassing for Med Supps, think again. CMS is out to quash this bait and switch tactic. They say that now, if you approach a beneficiary UNSOLICITED for any other reason or product, that you can NOT sell that beneficiary a MA plan because the original approach was an unsolicited approach. I think this stinks, but I don't make the rules. I think there are legitimate reasons to offer an MA plan after a Med Supp presentation, which, by NAIC rules, does not require an SOA, etc. However, no room is left to make exceptions due to past unethical conduct by some agents. CMS expects us to announce up front that we are agents, we are compensated, we sell MA plans, and we need an SOA to see prospects.
You can make appointments from a generic mailing you send out prior to 10/1, but the appt must be on or after 10/1. Looking into this for my own perspective, any piece that mentions MA plans or benefits I see must be carrier approved, meaning one of their pieces. This is our dilemma... how to get this "approved" piece in the mail on 10/1 when the carriers won't release the "approved" piece prior to 10/1! And don't forget: agents are responsible for the "generic" mailings to be compliant... so the onus is on us, not the Lead CO to get it right. Finding a mailer that is compliant is VERY HARD TO DO. I am considering drafting my own mailer and having a mail service send it out for me.
Last edited:
- 700
very true.. i always use generic stuff for marketing ma's. if you are ordering from someone and they need 2.5 weeks lead time, i would order them a little early so they drop by 10/1. didn't want you to wait until after 10/1 to place an order, cause depending on the mailhouse, someone might have already done a drop in that area, which would lock you out.
also, the closer to the beginning of aep you send them out, the better response rates you'll get... dropping at the end is still worthwhile, but response rates will def go down by then.
i'm curious to see response rates this year, with aep being moved up.... curious as to how many seniors realize it's earlier this year. i bet not many
also, the closer to the beginning of aep you send them out, the better response rates you'll get... dropping at the end is still worthwhile, but response rates will def go down by then.
i'm curious to see response rates this year, with aep being moved up.... curious as to how many seniors realize it's earlier this year. i bet not many
The point of my post was that the carriers (mine, at least) are not releasing the 2012 marketing materials until 10/1. This includes the mailers. This is a problem.
This leaves me to have to use a generic mailer in order to get a campaign going before 10/15. Short-sidedness on the part of CMS again. But then, what's new? They will not even have the 2012 benefits published until the 3rd week of Oct.... the arrogance they display is shameful.
- 700
yeah, drives me nuts... i go generic for the same reason... by the time i order 10k pieces on october 1st, it'll be 3 weeks until they get it printed and mailed to me most likely...
amazing how much people overpay for rx on their part d plan... hate we can't call to set appointments for those... even though there is almost no commission, every person it seems like i am saving them 500+ a year on Rx just by changing their drug plan and getting them to go on mail order...
whats a senior to do? take their friends advice, which applies in almost no way to their situation
amazing how much people overpay for rx on their part d plan... hate we can't call to set appointments for those... even though there is almost no commission, every person it seems like i am saving them 500+ a year on Rx just by changing their drug plan and getting them to go on mail order...
whats a senior to do? take their friends advice, which applies in almost no way to their situation
