March Newsletter: Important Dates
March 17: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! March 31: Last Day of OEP April 1: Lock-In Period Begins, Find those SEP’s April 3: Good Friday – UIG Offices are Closed April 5: Happy Easter! April 6: April National Call – Click to RegisterCarrier Highlight: Aetna SSI
During our March National Call, we welcomed special guest Dan Memory from Aetna Senior Supplemental Insurance (SSI), who shared valuable insights into the Aetna SSI product portfolio and how agents can use these solutions to better serve clients while growing their business.
Aetna’s SSI lineup is designed to complement and help fill the gaps many clients face. From Medicare Supplement plans to ancillary protection products and final expense coverage, these solutions give agents the flexibility to meet a wide range of client needs.
Medicare Supplement Plans
Aetna’s Medicare Supplement plans offer dependable coverage and flexibility for clients who want the freedom to choose their healthcare providers.
Key highlights include:
No network restrictions—clients can visit any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare
Portable coverage that moves with clients if they relocate
12-month rate guarantee on all plans
No waiting period for pre-existing conditions
Household premium discounts available in many states
Applications accepted year-round for eligible applicants
(ACI/AHIC/AHLIC/CLI)
Cancer and Heart Attack or Stroke Plus
This product provides clients with financial protection when facing some of the most serious health events.
Highlights include:
Issue ages 18–89
Available for individuals, couples, and families
Benefit amounts from $5,000–$75,000
Coverage options for cancer, heart attack/stroke, or both
Recurrence benefits available
Lump-sum benefits paid directly to the insured or a designated recipient
These plans help clients manage unexpected expenses while giving agents another way to add value to their portfolio.
Hospital Indemnity Flex
Hospital Indemnity Flex is designed to help clients cover out-of-pocket costs associated with hospital stays and related care.
Key features include:
Issue ages 18–89
Guaranteed acceptance within state-approved age ranges (not available in CA, ID, or UT)
Benefits of up to:
$4,000 hospital admission
$1,000/day daily hospital stay
$500/day optional skilled nursing facility care
$100 optional doctor’s office visit
$3,000 optional outpatient surgical procedure
$600 optional emergency room visit or ambulance service
Optional lump sum cancer benefits ranging from $2,500 to $20,000
$250 optional outpatient rehabilitation visits
This flexible design allows agents to tailor coverage based on a client’s budget and protection needs.
Final Expense Whole Life
Aetna Final Expense Whole Life provides a simple way for clients to prepare for end-of-life expenses while giving families financial peace of mind.
Plan highlights include:
Issue ages 40–89
Level or Modified death benefit options (varies by state)
Face amounts from $2,000–$50,000
Simplified yes/no application process
Optional riders on Level plans including:
Accelerated death benefit
Accidental death benefit
Children’s term rider
Super preferred rates available
Billing options that can align with Social Security deposit dates
Plans may vary by state
Maximum amount varies by applicant age at policy issue
Why These Products Matter for Agents
The Aetna SSI product suite gives agents multiple opportunities to strengthen their client relationships while expanding their book of business. By pairing Medicare coverage with supplemental and protection products, agents can deliver more complete solutions and create additional revenue streams.
If you missed the call or want to review the materials again, be sure to explore the full Aetna SSI product availability chart and detailed plan information to see where these solutions fit into your strategy for the year ahead.
March Newsletter: It’s Time to Sharpen Your Axe
When the clocks move forward each year, most people focus on losing an hour of sleep. When I was working in the field, I always saw it differently. Daylight Savings Time meant opportunity.
The days are longer, the weather improves, and people are simply more accessible. These days, many of our clients are still working and may not get home until after five o’clock. When it stays light until six or seven, it creates a perfect window for follow-ups, drop-ins, and conversations that were much harder to have during the darker winter months. If someone no-shows earlier in the day, you have plenty of time to circle back later.
This time of year, is also an important transition in our business. OEP will be ending soon, which means ancillary products will carry much of the opportunity for the remainder of the year. Now is the time to sharpen your knowledge and build confidence by presenting those solutions.
It’s like the story I always tell, about the old man and the young man cutting down trees. Both can swing their axe all day, but the one who stops to sharpen it will usually cut down the most trees. The same applies here. The agents who take the time now to sharpen their skills will be the ones who continue producing long after OEP ends.
The days are getting longer. The opportunity is there. Now it is time to sharpen your axe and make the most of it.
Colan Mouton Regional Sales Director, NE
January Newsletter: Important Dates
January 27: Business Month End for January February 9: February National Call – Click to register February 16: Presidents Day – UIG Offices Closed
December National Call – Quick Recap
During our recent National Call, we covered several timely Medicare updates and action items every agent should have on their radar as we close out the year and prepare for what’s ahead. Read below for the quick recap!
2026 Medicare Part B Updates
The standard Part B premium will increase from $185 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026.
The Part B deductible will increase from $257 in 2025 to $283 in 2026.
Please also remember to review IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) levels—those amounts will be higher as well.
Opportunities Through December 31 There are still plenty of ways to help clients this month, including several Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs):
5-Star plans like Devoted in many markets
Individuals leaving employer coverage
Those eligible for the FEMA disaster SEP
C-SNP and D-SNP opportunities, depending on the market
Plan Exits Many beneficiaries still don’t realize their plans are ending.
You can enroll these clients through December 31.
Additionally, individuals affected by a plan exit have a Special Enrollment Period that extends through February 28, during which they have guaranteed-issue enrollment into a new plan.
Open Enrollment Period (OEP) – January 1 through March 31
We also reviewed Medicare Open Enrollment (OEP) and what agents can and cannot do:
What OEP Is: OEP runs from January 1 to March 31, and anyone with a Medicare Advantage (MA) or MAPD plan may make one plan change during this time.
Who Can Use OEP: Only individuals currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Clients on Original Medicare only cannot enroll in MA during OEP unless they qualify for a separate SEP.
What Changes Are Allowed:
Switch from one MA/MAPD plan to another.
Drop MA/MAPD and return to Original Medicare, with the option to add a standalone Part D plan.
Important: If a client plans to pair Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement, ensure the Med Supp is approved first. Writing the Part D before Med Supp approval can cancel their MA plan. If they are denied Med Supp, they could be left without healthcare coverage.
Effective Dates: Any OEP change becomes effective on the first of the following month:
Written in January → Effective February 1
Written in March → Effective April 1
Compliance Reminder: CMS has strict rules surrounding OEP.
Agents cannot actively market or advertise OEP.
You can assist clients who contact you seeking help or expressing dissatisfaction.
Clients receive only one election during OEP.
Please reach out to your local DSM or RD if you have any questions or need support.
During our July national call, we heard from Dan Memory from Aetna SSI. Dan shared some very valuable product training with us! Check out the information below! And, as always, please connect with your DSM for additional details.
