June 19: Juneteenth
June 22: 2027 AHIP Released
July 3: Independence Day Observance – UIG Offices Closed
July 4: Happy 250 Years USA!
July 6: July National Training Call – Click Here to Register Now!
During our recent National Call, we reviewed several key updates included in the CMS 2027 Final Rule and what they mean for agents moving forward.
The overall direction from CMS is clear: reduce unnecessary barriers while maintaining strong consumer protections. Rather than adding more administrative hurdles, CMS is shifting its focus toward transparency, consumer choice, and ensuring beneficiaries receive the information they need when they need it.
For agents, many of these changes create opportunities to serve clients more efficiently while continuing to operate within a compliant framework.
One of the most significant updates is the elimination of the 48-hour waiting period after completing a Scope of Appointment.
Under the new rule, once a valid SOA has been completed, agents may immediately discuss Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug Plans (Part D). This can occur during the same appointment, the same phone call, or on the same day the SOA is completed.
CMS recognizes that consumers often seek assistance when they are ready to make decisions. Removing the waiting period allows agents to respond more quickly while still obtaining the required authorization before discussing plan options.
CMS has also streamlined call recording requirements.
Moving forward, only calls that result in an enrollment must be recorded. In addition, marketing call retention requirements have been reduced to six years.
This change reduces administrative burdens while preserving accountability for enrollment-related conversations.
Third-Party Organization disclaimers remain an important compliance requirement, but CMS has provided greater flexibility regarding when those disclosures must be delivered.
Rather than requiring the disclaimer at the beginning of every call, agents must ensure the disclosure is provided before discussing plan benefits. This adjustment allows conversations to flow more naturally while still ensuring consumers receive the necessary information before evaluating plan options.
Another welcome change is the elimination of the previous 12-hour separation requirement between educational events and sales or marketing events.
CMS is placing less emphasis on arbitrary time gaps and more emphasis on consumer understanding. The expectation remains that beneficiaries clearly understand when an educational discussion transitions into a sales presentation.
As agents, this means greater flexibility when planning educational workshops, seminars, and community outreach events while still maintaining clear communication and compliance standards.
Certain Special Enrollment Periods will now require validation directly through CMS.
In some cases, beneficiaries may need to complete enrollment through Medicare.gov or by contacting 1-800-MEDICARE. While CMS may control portions of the enrollment process, agents will continue to play a critical advisory role by helping beneficiaries understand eligibility requirements, evaluate plan options, and navigate available coverage choices.
While several requirements have become more flexible, many core compliance expectations remain firmly in place.
Agents must still:
For appointments generated through UIG programs, continue documenting the appointment source appropriately:
“Appointment set for Medicare Supplement review.”
Maintaining thorough documentation remains an important part of demonstrating compliance and protecting both agents and beneficiaries.
CMS has also announced a new GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration Program scheduled to begin July 1, 2026.
The program is intended to provide eligible Medicare beneficiaries with expanded access to certain GLP-1 medications. Additional guidance, eligibility requirements, and implementation details are expected from CMS as the launch date approaches.
We will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
For the first time in several years, many of these CMS updates represent a move toward greater flexibility rather than additional restrictions.
These changes allow agents to respond more quickly when consumers are ready, streamline administrative processes, and create a more natural client experience—all while preserving the safeguards beneficiaries deserve.
It’s important to remember that the expectation is not less compliance; it’s better compliance. Success under the new rules will still require clear communication, proper documentation, sound judgment, and a commitment to always putting the consumer first.
The agents who embrace these changes while maintaining a strong compliance mindset will be well-positioned for success during AEP and beyond. With fewer unnecessary obstacles standing in the way, we can spend more time focused on what matters most: educating clients, building trust, and helping beneficiaries make confident Medicare decisions.
As always, if you need more information on any of this, contact your DSM or Regional Sales Directors.
Mai-Lee Coddington
Regional Sales Director, SW
This month, we’re highlighting Amada Senior Care, a leading provider of senior care services and extended care claims advocacy. Since its founding in 2007, Amada Senior Care has expanded to more than 340 locations across 44 states, helping seniors and their families navigate care decisions with confidence, compassion, and personalized support.
Amada’s nationwide network specializes in non-medical in-home caregiving, care coordination, senior housing placement, assisted living communities, memory care, board and care homes, and adult family homes. Their comprehensive approach helps families identify the right care solutions while easing the challenges that often accompany aging and long-term care planning.
One of Amada Senior Care’s greatest differentiators is its dedicated support for extended care insurance policyholders. Acting as a long-term care claims concierge, their team works directly with clients and families to explain available benefits, organize claim documentation, coordinate RN assessments, complete claim forms, and assist with ongoing claims management. They help ensure policyholders receive the benefits they’ve paid for while minimizing the administrative burden of the claims process.
In addition to claims advocacy, Amada assists with care coordination, financial resource planning, VA benefits, retirement benefits, and other programs that may help offset the cost of care. By combining personalized service with streamlined technology and proven claims management processes, Amada serves as a valuable resource for both agents and their clients.
What makes this partnership especially exciting is Amada’s commitment to working directly with UIG agents. Founder Tafa Jefferson has expressed a strong interest in collaborating with our agent network, creating opportunities not only to better serve your clients but also to establish a mutually beneficial referral relationship. This partnership has the potential to provide tremendous value for families seeking care solutions while generating new opportunities for agents.
To learn more about Amada Senior Care’s services and how they can support your clients, watch the full webinar presentation available in the Agent Resource Center (ARC). And don’t miss the opportunity to meet the Amada team in person at our AEP Kickoff event in Houston!
| Our time in Malta for the Top Producer Conference was nothing short of unforgettable. From incredible networking and meaningful connections to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, this trip was a celebration of the hard work and dedication of our top-performing agents. Congratulations again to all of our winners — we’re proud to recognize your outstanding achievements! AGENT OF THE YEAR: Thackoor Samdeo – Florida ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Christopher Badger – Southern California CROSS-SELLING AGENT OF THE YEAR: Thackoor Samdeo – Florida NET GROWTH AGENT OF THE YEAR: Trinh Truong – Michigan HEALTH SOLUTIONS SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR: Sean Deveau – Connecticut |
May 25: Memorial Day – UIG Offices Closed
June 8: June National Call – Register Here
While attending our Top Producer Conference in Malta, I had the opportunity to learn more about the history of the island and the story of the Siege of Malta deeply inspired me.
In 1565 the Knights of Malta, a small group of 700 faced an attack from one of the most powerful armies consisting of over 40,000 men. They were heavily outnumbered, under constant pressure, and every obstacle suggested they should fail. Yet somehow, they held the line. Not because they were the biggest or strongest, but because they possessed qualities that allowed them to endure.
Being there and learning that story showed me how the traits the Knights of Malta possessed are principles we should live by every day. Those same principles that carried them through their adversity can help us succeed in business and in life today.
The first is Unshakable Belief. Long before anyone believes in you, you must believe in yourself, and your vision. Regardless of what people say, be unwavering in what you are building and standing for.
The second is Strength through Adversity. Things will not always go your way and mistakes will happen. However, you are not defined by your worst day nor your best day, instead it’s the many days in between which define who you are. Growth comes from doing the hard things consistently and the challenges we face prepare us for the next level.
The third is Brotherhood/Sisterhood. No one succeeds alone. The strongest teams are built when people support each other, learn from one another, and move forward toward a common goal together.
The fourth is Serving a Purpose Bigger than Self. In our business, we have the opportunity to truly help people daily. When you focus on serving others the right way, success tends to follow. “It doesn’t matter what you do for yourself, if every time somebody calls on you, you’re no help”- T.I.
The fifth is Refuse to Quit. Every successful person faces setbacks, rejection, and difficult seasons. The difference is that they keep going anyway.
My biggest takeaway from Malta is that anything built to last requires consistency, resilience, and a willingness to grow through difficult moments. Easy doesn’t build anything worth having. The things that matter most are built over time, tested through adversity, strengthened through belief, and held together by purpose and perseverance. Those are the things that are truly built to last.
Colan Mouton
Regional Sales Director, NE
During our recent national call, we highlighted an often-overlooked opportunity: adding hospital indemnity plans to your portfolio. Many Medicare agents focus solely on medical coverage and unintentionally leave a gap when it comes to hospitalization costs. The good news—this is easy to fix. Using your Summary of Benefits, show clients what they would pay for a 3-day inpatient stay, then position the hospital plan as the solution. Continue your review and circle back to it—it becomes second nature after your first few. Options like WELLABE, with guaranteed issue for ages 60–79, make the conversation and enrollment quick and seamless. We also have many top agents successfully doing this today who felt unsure at first.
We also walked through the financial impact. At an average, 35.6% commission, one hospital plan can generate around $203, and even more if you enroll a spouse. Adding just two plans per week can translate to roughly $20,000 in additional annual income. During lock-in season, this is a simple way to maintain production while increasing your earnings.
Beyond income, this strategy helps you reach bigger goals faster. Writing just two per week can reduce the number of Medicare Advantage applications needed to qualify for our Maui conference, making that path much more attainable. It’s a small addition that can make a big impact.
If you’re unsure how to incorporate this into your process or want help mapping out your path to Maui, connect with your District Sales Manager or Regional Director—we’re here to support you.
And if you’d like to learn more about Wellcare, be sure to revisit our February National Call for a deeper dive.
On our April national call, we focused on one of the most effective and sustainable ways to grow your business: generating your own referrals. We talked about the importance of putting yourself where seniors already are and staying actively involved in your community. There are countless opportunities to connect—VFW posts, senior centers, church groups, quilting or sewing circles, and organizations like the Elks or Lions Club. When you consistently show up in these spaces, you build trust and become a familiar, go-to resource.
We also emphasized one of the most valuable—and often overlooked—strategies: leveraging your existing client base. You’ve worked hard to get in the door, earn trust, and truly help your clients. By the end of your appointment, they know, like, and trust you—so why not build from the community you’ve already created? One of my favorite techniques is simple: during your wrap-up, ask clients what groups, hobbies, or social circles they’re involved in. You’d be surprised how often that question leads to new opportunities and warm introductions.
One example I shared was a client who mentioned she plays Bunco every Wednesday and invited me to meet the group, noting they often talk about Medicare and health. That single invitation created a natural connection to 11 other women—and more than two-thirds became clients. When you consistently ask and allow clients to open those doors, you create meaningful relationships and grow your business right in your own backyard.
Many of you have asked for ways to increase your leads and activity—this is one approach that can pay off in a big way. We encourage you to try it in your next appointment—what do you have to lose?
A simple question can lead to new connections, stronger relationships, and more opportunities than you might expect.
If you missed the national call, be sure to catch the full recording on our agent portal, ARC.
Mai-Lee Coddington
Regional Sales Director, SW
