The Marketplace Learning Management System Will Close August 2, 2021

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According to a release from Healthcare.gov, starting August 2 at 6:00 PM ET, the Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS) will close or “go dark” in preparation for the launch of registration and training for plan year 2022.

Before the system goes dark, be sure to…

  • Print your 2021 Registration Completion Certificate(s)
  • Update your information on your MLMS agent/broker profile

Certificates showing you’ve completed plan year 2021 registration and training will not be available after the MLMS closes or when the system goes live for plan year 2022 registration and training. To print your 2021 Registration Completion Certificate(s):

  1. Log in to the CMS Enterprise Portal. After logging in, you’ll be automatically taken to the Agent Broker Registration Status page, from which you can access your certificate(s).
  2. Click the Print Certificate(s) link and follow the prompts to download and/or print your certificate(s).

To update your information on your agent/broker profile:

  1. Log in to the CMS Enterprise Portal.
  2. Click the My Apps icon in the middle of the blue toolbar at the top of the webpage.
  3. Click the Training link under the MLMS header. You will be taken to your agent/broker profile.
  4. Update any outdated information in your Business Profile to ensure the Marketplace has your information correct.
  5. Click the Save button to save your information.

More information on registration and training for plan year 2022 will be coming soon.

Marketplace 2022 Registration and Training Coming in Late Summer

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Due to the 2021 Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that is currently available until August 15, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that plan year 2022 registration and training will be available to agents and brokers after the SEP has ended on August 15, 2021.

CMS will provide additional guidance and outreach at a future date with more details around when plan year 2022 registration and training will “Go Live.”

Clients are Eligible for a $0 Silver Plan with Unemployment Income

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According to a release from HealthSherpa, starting July 1, 2021, individuals with at least one week of unemployment compensation (UC) in 2021 can enroll in a free Silver plan with an earliest effective date of August 1.

This measure was part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), and you will be able to service any eligible clients through HealthSherpa. In this guide, HealthSherpa covers changes you will see within the agent account, resources for client outreach, and an overview of what you need to know about this measure.

How the unemployment income measure will be incorporated into the HealthSherpa for Agents account

Clients who qualify for unemployment compensation won’t automatically receive these benefits, regardless of whether they attested to receiving UC on their application. They will have to come back and re-submit in order to get a new eligibility notice that lists their updated APTC/CSR.

If clients do not re-submit their applications, they will receive any APTC they should have qualified for back when they file their 2021 federal income taxes. However, CSR benefits are not payable retroactively. Therefore, it’s especially important for households receiving UC to re-submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure they are receiving the maximum benefit they are eligible for.

HealthSherpa plans to release the following changes within the quoter, shopping and application experiences to help agents service their existing and new clients: https://blog.healthsherpa.com/agents/clients-eligible-free-silver-unemployment/

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

CMS Encourages Companies to Promote Quality, Affordable Health Coverage for Gig Workers Through HealthCare.gov

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The following post was originally published by Healthcare.gov.

CMS is encouraging online platform companies to share information with gig workers on their ability to enroll in affordable, quality, health coverage during the 2021 Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Digital platforms – including Delivery Drivers, Inc., DoorDash, Lyft, Postmates, StyleSeat, Uber, and Wonolo – are participating in “Gig Workers’ Week of Action” to promote Marketplace healthcare plans to their workforces.

“As millions of Americans have relied on gig economy work to sustain their incomes and support their families during the pandemic, we want these hardworking men and women to know they can purchase quality, affordable health coverage through HealthCare.gov,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “And thanks to the American Rescue Plan, these gig workers may be eligible for increased financial help to reduce the cost of their monthly premiums, making the health insurance plans on the Marketplace more affordable than ever before. I encourage everyone to go to HealthCare.gov to see if they are eligible for lower costs coverage today.”

To read the HHS press release, visit: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/05/26/cms-encourages-companies-promote-quality-affordable-health-coverage-for-gig-workers.html

 

CMS WEBINAR: Overview of New Health Reimbursement Arrangements

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CMS will be hosting the upcoming webinar Overview of New Health Reimbursement Arrangements. The webinar will address the following:

  • Introduction: Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) Overview
  • Individual Coverage HRA: Impact on Premium Tax Credit Eligibility
  • Individual Coverage HRA: Employer Notice
  • Individual Coverage HRA/QSEHRA Individual Market Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
  • Live question and answer session

This webinar will be held on June 10, 2021, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET.

If you’d like to attend the upcoming webinar Overview of New Health Reimbursement Arrangements, register today. Registration will close 24 hours prior to the session.

Select the “Save My Seat” button and follow these steps:

  1. Select ‘Training Events’ from ‘My Dashboard.’
  2. Select the ‘View’ icon next to event title: Overview of New Health Reimbursement Arrangements.
  3. Select ‘Register Me.’

Click here to “Save My Seat”.

Earn an Individual Bonus with Anthem’s SEP Broker Bonus Program

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With the Individual SEP Broker Bonus Program, Anthem will pay a one-time bonus of $125 for each member (no family max) enrolled in an Individual ACA on- or off-exchange plan with an effective date beginning February 1, 2021.

You must sell at least 10 members and they must stay with Anthem for at least 90 days for you to qualify for the bonus.

This SEP business will also qualify for a renewal commission effective January 1, 2022.

Contact your Cornerstone representative for more information.

Federal Tax Filing Deadline Coming Soon!

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This post was originally published by Healthcare.gov.

The deadline for all taxpayers to file and pay their federal income taxes was extended from April 15, 2021, until May 17, 2021.

During this extension and throughout the tax season, you may not assist clients with filing taxes (unless you are a licensed tax professional).

However, you may:

  • Help them understand what a Form 1095-A is and what it means as they prepare their taxes
  • Show them how to access their Form 1095-A in their online accounts
  • Ensure they are aware of the potential implications of not providing the information found in their Form 1095-A on their federal income tax return
  • And more!

This extension only applies to federal taxes. For more details on tax deadlines in individual states, your clients should contact their state tax agency.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Data Shows Increased Zero-Premium and Low-Premium Health Plans

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The following information was originally released by Healthcare.gov.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) enhances and expands eligibility for advance payments of premium tax credits (APTCs) to purchase Marketplace insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) estimates that approximately 3 in 5 (62%) of the 11 million uninsured non-elderly adults eligible for Marketplace coverage in HealthCare.gov states likely can access zero-premium plans, while nearly 3 in 4 (73%) likely can access a plan for $50 or less per month.

Key ARP points include:

  • Under the ARP, the availability of zero-premium plans has increased by nineteen percentage points in this population, and low-premium plans by sixteen percentage points.
  • The ARP substantially increased the availability of low-premium silver and gold plans. Zero-premium gold plan availability also increased.
  • The ARP reduced the expected individual contribution of household income toward benchmark plan premiums to 0% for applicable taxpayers with income between 100-150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  • Approximately 66% of Black non-Latino uninsured adults now may have access to a zero premium plan and 76% can find a low-premium plan. Among Hispanic and Latino uninsured adults, 69% now may have access to a zero-premium plan and 80% may now be able find a low-premium plan.
  • There are approximately two million uninsured adults with incomes of 400% of the FPL or greater in HealthCare.gov states who may be newly eligible for coverage with Marketplace premium tax credits under the ARP.

For more information about “Access to Marketplace Plans with Low Premiums: The Uninsured and the American Rescue Plan,” visit:
https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/access-to-low-premiums-issue-brief-part-II

Contact your Cornerstone representative for more information.

Be Recognized for Assisting New Marketplace Consumers!

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The following information was originally released by Healthcare.gov.

Assist 10 new consumers with enrolling in Marketplace coverage between February 15, 2021, and August 15, 2021, to qualify for the Connecting Consumers with Coverage—2021 Special Enrollment Period Award!

This special recognition acknowledges the work you do in making the Marketplace more accessible to consumers, particularly those from historically underserved or underinsured populations. You can use the materials to proudly display your achievement in your office, on your website, or on your social media networks.

REMEMBER: A new consumer is anyone who is not enrolled in a Marketplace plan as of February 14, who then makes a plan selection between February 15, 2021, and August 15, 2021.

IMPORTANT TIP: Please make sure to complete the race and ethnicity questions on a consumer’s application. This will help CMS further understand the positive impact agents and brokers are having on the Marketplace and ensure we can help support and reach more new consumers in the future!

Contact  your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Maximize Your Sales with UnitedHealthOne’s Second Quarter Bonus!

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There are TWO ways to earn more in the second quarter with UnitedHealthOne’s new bonus program. and maximize your sales with eligible products.

Click here to register.

TriTerm Medical
(Nearly 3-year term — longest term length available in the short-term market!)
Earn with your first TriTerm Medical application! Then earn more as you have more business submitted and issued!
TriTerm Medical Plans 1-4 apps 5-9 apps 10-14 apps 15+ apps
Copay, Plan 80, Plan 100 $100 $200 $300 $350
Value, Hospital & Surgical $50 $100 $200 $250

2nd-Way: Short Term Medical & Health ProtectorGuard
Submit and have issued any combination of 10 Short Term Medical and/or Health ProtectorGuard applications and you can earn a bonus starting with the first app.
Short Term Medical
(min. 12-month term1)		 $100
Short Term Medical
(6-11 mo. Term2)		 $50
Health ProtectorGuard $100

Earn More on Eligible Ancillary Plans

When you’ve submitted and have issued any combination of 10 TriTerm Medical plans, Short Term Medical, and Health ProtectorGuard plans, during the incentive period, then you are eligible to earn $30 for every submitted and issued3:

  • Dental
  • Critical Illness
  • Accident (SafeGuard, ProGuard or ProGap)
  • HealthiestYou

UnitedHealthOne’s best plans are available to help your clients find coverage that works best for them and you have the freedom to earn a little more in a way that works best for your business.

Submit eligible product applications between April 16, 2021 – July 31, 2021. If issued by September 1, 2021 and meet eligibility requirements, then you’ll earn more for your efforts. You must register to be eligible to earn.

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