Medicare Blog

what are the requirement to sell medicare in illinois?

by Mr. Hiram Reichert Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Since the 1980s, Illinois has required Medigap insurers to sell plans to disabled Medicare beneficiaries under age 65. Illinois also has a year-round guaranteed-issue Medigap plan from BCBSIL for people over the age of 65. And as of 2022, the state has a new “birthday rule” limited annual plan change window for Medigap enrollees age 65-75.

Get Contracted and Appointed to Sell Medicare Plans
Copy of your current resident and non-resident state health insurance license. Copy of your current E&O policy. Completed legal questionnaire provided by the insurance company (you will get this from your FMO) Consenting to a background check.
Jun 6, 2022

Full Answer

When can you get Medicare in Illinois?

When Can You Get Medicare in Illinois? You may be eligible for Medicare in Illinois if you’re a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for more than five years and one or more of the following applies to you: 3 You are age 65 or older.

How do I choose a Medicare plan in Illinois?

Illinois residents can choose from several available options under the Medicare Program, including Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. But before you choose a plan, it will help to gain a better understanding of Medicare and the benefits it offers.

What are the parts of Medicare in Illinois?

Let’s start with the Parts of Medicare offered in Illinois: Medicare Part A is inpatient hospitalization insurance. Medicare Part B acts as medical insurance, including doctor visits, lab work, and other outpatient care. Medicare Parts A and B are known as Original Medicare.

How many people are eligible to sell Medicare insurance?

What this means when it comes to Medicare insurance sales is that one in every seven people, the equivalent of 15.2% of the population, meets Medicare age qualifications. To have a lucrative business, you need two things:

What are the requirements for Medicare in Illinois?

When Can You Get Medicare in Illinois?You are age 65 or older.You are under 65, disabled, and receive disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.You have end-stage renal disease (ERSD).You have ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Can you make a lot of money selling Medicare?

Is Selling Medicare Lucrative? In short, yes. The average Medicare Advantage policy pays around $287 a year in commission if the purchase replaces an existing plan. However, you can get approximately double that — $573— if you write up a new Medicare Advantage plan for someone who hasn't had one before.

How does a Medicare agent get paid?

For Medigap plans, the agent's commission is typically a percentage of the annual plan premium; the percentage is set and the commission paid by the insurer. Unlike MA and Part D, the rates are not set by CMS or individual states.

Can you sell Medicare all year?

As you may know, Medicare Supplements can be sold year-round and do not require new certifications annually, unlike Medicare Advantage plans.

How hard is it to sell Medicare?

No, it's not hard to sell Medicare Supplements. When you're first starting, it should be easy, because everyone on Medicare needs one. It's just an insurance product. You're not a member – you're a policyholder, and that means a lot to people.

Is being a Medicare agent worth it?

Medicare agents have significant earning potential and a promising future of stable career growth – but it's not just about the money. Medicare agents also get to help others while taking control of their own careers. For the right person, Medicare sales can be a very rewarding and lucrative career.

Do Medicare agents get residuals?

Medicare can be that residual income. You can build a 6 figure income by steadily selling Medicare for as little as 3-4 years. Having this residual income can give you the flexibility to stretch your capabilities and start learning how to cross-sell other products and round out your book of business.

Which type of insurance agents make the most money?

Overview of the Insurance Field While there are many kinds of insurance (ranging from auto insurance to health insurance), the most lucrative career in the insurance field is for those selling life insurance.

What is the commission for health insurance Agents?

The maximal commission the Insurance Agent gets in the first year is approx 25% for 15 years, and above and the commission is cut down to approx 5% after the 4th year....Health Insurance Agents Commission:CATEGORYCOMMISSIONHealth Group(Employer-Employee)7.5%Health Group(Non-Employer-Employee)15%2 more rows•Jan 8, 2021

How do I get Medicare clients?

⍟ 14 Ways to Generate Medicare Supplement LeadsBuild & Maintain a Website. ... Social Media Presence. ... Video Marketing. ... Blogging, Writing Articles. ... Email. ... Online Events: Live webinars, podcasts. ... Direct Requests / Client Referrals. ... Lead Swapping Partnerships (Asking other professionals for referrals)More items...

How much do Medicare leads cost?

As mentioned previously, new Medicare Advantage pay $25 for each direct mail lead.

What are the three main ways in which Medicare sales occur?

There are three different types of Medicare products sold by agents and brokers: Medicare Supplement plans (Also called Medigap plans), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D Rx plans.

How many people are on Medicare in Illinois?

More than 2.2 million residents are enrolled in Medicare in Illinois. About 30% of Illinois Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in private plans — most Medicare Advantage plans but also some Medicare Cost plans. Since the 1980s, Illinois has required Medigap insurers to sell plans to disabled Medicare beneficiaries under age 65.

How many Medicare Advantage plans are there in Illinois?

There are Medicare Advantage plans for sale throughout Illinois, with plan availability ranging from 3 plans to 62 plans , depending on the county. 22 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans as of 2018, compared with an average Medicare Advantage enrollment of 34 percent nationwide.

How much is Medicare Part D in Illinois?

Insurers in Illinois are offering 28 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans for sale in 2020, with premiums that range from about $13 to $136/month.

How old do you have to be to get Medicare?

Most beneficiaries are eligible for Medicare coverage enrollment because they’re at least 65 years old. But Medicare eligibility is also triggered when a person has been receiving disability benefits for two years, or has ALS or end-stage renal disease. Nationwide, 15 percent of people filing for Medicare benefits are under 65; in Illinois, ...

When does Medicare open enrollment end?

Medicare Advantage enrollees also have the option to change to a different Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which runs from January 1 to March 31.

Is there an open enrollment window for Medicare Advantage?

Unlike other private Medicare coverage ( Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans ), there is no annual open enrollment window for Medigap plans.

Does Illinois have a medicaid plan?

Illinois also has a year-round guaranteed-issue Medigap plan from BCBSIL for people over the age of 65. Illinois residents can select from among 28 stand-alone Part D prescription plans in 2020, with premiums ranging from about $13 to $136 per month. Original Medicare spending in Illinois is about 4 percent higher than the national average.

What to do when selling Medicare supplements?

When you sell Medicare supplements from home, you need to offer a variety of products to meet each beneficiary’s needs. This includes supplement products, prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage products, and ancillary products. Ensure the products you are offering benefit the client, not a push for your pocketbook.

How many Americans have Medicare Advantage?

Ambition to put forth the effort to make sales. About 1/3 of Americans obtain their Medicare through Medicare Advantage Plans. The other 2/3 of the eligible persons have original Medicare, and about 81% of those enroll in supplement coverage.

How to remain independent with Medicare?

To remain independent, you will likely need to obtain your insurance company contracts through a Medicare Insurance FMO. An FMO will work to obtain the best contracts for you to sell clients. Their support in finding you the best product to offer frees your time to meet clients and close sales.

How many clients does Medicare have?

Your income is only limited by the time you put into working. On average, a Medicare insurance agent in business for five (5) years has around 400-500 clients.

What is Medicare Advantage?

One of the benefits is the sale of Medicare Advantage or a Medicare supplement that provides you with a residual income for years. This is a passive income you enjoy the benefit of from every sale. Working as an independent agent means the commissions pay directly to you.

How many people will be on Medicare in 2060?

Projections are that by 2060 there will be 98 million people in that age range. The estimation is 21.1 million over age 85 in 2030. What this means when it comes to Medicare insurance sales is that one in every seven people, the equivalent of 15.2% of the population, meets Medicare age qualifications.

Can you refer Medicare insurance to a client?

If you personally deliver the Medicare insurance policy to your clients, you have the opportunity to go over again the benefits of the plan they purchased. This is also the perfect time to request a referral. By building a trusting relationship, you may be able to sell them additional products later.

How to become a Medicare agent?

The first step to becoming a licensed Medicare agent is to complete a pre-licensing course. You can usually choose to take this course in a traditional classroom setting or online in a self-study format if you prefer. Choose your state of residence , select the “Life and Health” option , and then choose the exam prep package that best suits your needs. Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion that is valid for one year from the date it was issued. You will need to pass your state licensing exam within this time.

Is selling Medicare a good job?

Selling Medicare is a great line of work for individuals who are professional, outgoing, and self-motivated. It can also be a very lucrative line of work if you’re willing to work as hard as you can and set ambitious goals for yourself.

What is Medicare Part A in Illinois?

Let’s start with the Parts of Medicare offered in Illinois: Medicare Part A is inpatient hospitalization insurance. Medicare Part B acts as medical insurance, including doctor visits, lab work, and other outpatient care. Medicare Parts A and B are known as Original Medicare. 3.

How many people are on Medicare in Illinois?

Illinois has more than 2 million residents enrolled in a Medicare plan as of 2020 1 and over 49% of Medicare beneficiaries who applied for Extra Help with their prescription drug plan costs were approved. 2.

What is Medicare Supplement Plan?

You can supplement your Original Medicare coverage with a Medicare Supplement plan, which can help cover out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles and copays. These plans are also called Medigap plans.

When is Medicare open enrollment?

However if you choose not to, you can apply during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period, October 15–December 7. 6. If you’re ready to start shopping for a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or Medicare Part D Plan, get your free FitScore ® with HealthMarkets.

Do Illinois teachers qualify for Medicare?

Are Illinois Teachers Eligible for Medicare? Yes, Illinois teachers who are U.S. citizens are eligible for Medicare when they turn 65. 3. It is important to note that group Medicare Advantage plans for Illinois teachers may be available depending on if your school district has selected a group retirement plan.

Does Medicare Part D cover prescriptions?

Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage. 5 With Original Medicare, drug coverage is not included and needs to be purchased separately. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage. Some individuals qualify for a program called Extra Help, which can lower the costs of prescription drug plans.

What is Medicaid in Illinois?

The program is a wide-ranging, jointly funded state and federal health care program for low-income individuals of all ages. That being said, this page is focused on Medicaid eligibility, specifically for Illinois residents, aged 65 and over, and specifically for long term care, whether that be at home, in a nursing home or in assisted living.

What income is counted for Medicaid?

Examples include employment wages, alimony payments, pension payments, Social Security Disability Income, Social Security Income, IRA withdrawals, and stock dividends.

What is the CSMNA in Illinois?

Specific to IL, it is called a Community Spouse Maintenance Needs Allowance and is abbreviated as CSMNA. In 2021, the CSMNA is $2,739 / month. This means applicant spouses are able to transfer their income, or a portion of their income, to their non-applicant spouses to bring their monthly income up to this level.

What is regular Medicaid?

3) Regular Medicaid / Aged Blind and Disabled – is an entitlement (all persons who meet the eligibility requirements are able to receive benefits) and is provided at home or adult day care.

What is institutional Medicaid?

1) Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid – is an entitlement (anyone who is eligible will receive assistance) & is provided only in nursing homes. 2) Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community Based Services – Limited number of participants. Provided at home, adult day care or in assisted living.

How long does Illinois have a look back period?

One should be aware that Illinois has a Medicaid Look-Back Period, which is a period of 60 months that immediately precedes one’s Medicaid application date. During this time frame, Medicaid checks to ensure no assets were sold or given away under fair market value.

When applying for Medicaid, is the income of both spouses considered together?

When just one spouse of a married couple is applying for regular Medicaid, the income of both spouses is considered together. This means the income of the non-applicant spouse is counted towards the income eligibility of his / her spouse.

How to become an insurance agent in Illinois?

Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Illinois. A common question we hear is, “I have my insurance license, now what?” Here are a few things you can do or need to know: 1 Get a job in the insurance field. Check out StateRequirement’s Insurance Jobs board. 2 If you’re going to sell advanced life insurance products, you’ll need to have the proper securities licenses. Series 6 , Series 7, and Series 63 are the most common among insurance agents, but you’ll need to begin with the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam. Find out which licenses you need with our Securities Licensing Guide. 3 Every two years, you’ll need to renew your insurance license. Check out our guides on Illinois Insurance License Renewal and Illinois Insurance Continuing Education for more details.

How many hours of pre-licensing do you need to get a property license in Illinois?

Each line of authority in Illinois requires twenty (20) hours of pre-license education. This means that if you wish to get a Property and Casualty license, you must take forty (40) hours of pre-licensing, and for Life, Accident, and Health you must also take forty (40) hours. You will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.

What is the next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework?

For required insurance pre-license courses and exam prep, StateRequirement recommends: Kaplan Education Company. Step 3. Illinois Insurance License Exam . The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry.

What is a medical lien?

Put simply, a medical lien is a security interest that medical providers place against any recovery you may receive in your claim. It “attaches to,” or claims, a portion of a settlement, verdict, award, or whatever compromise you or your attorneys may have secured.

Why do hospitals and doctors place liens?

Medical providers will place liens on personal injury claims in order to protect their interest in the settlement recovery. With lien holders, they will often provide or render medical treatment to the claimant and allow them to defer payment until the conclusion of the case.

What is MedPay?

MedPay is a benefit that may or may not be included in an individual’s automobile insurance coverage. The benefit is there to help pay your (or your passenger’s) medical expenses if there is a car accident. It is important to note that, if MedPay is available, it can be paid out to an individual regardless of fault.

How much can Medicaid take from a settlement in Illinois?

Like Med Pay, Medicaid and Medicare are not subject to the Illinois Health Care Services Lien Act. They are statutory liens and need not proper service of their liens on interested parties as required under the law. Their status as lienholders is superior to other liens that may be present on the case.

The Lien Act in Practice

As stated above, the total amount of the liens shall not exceed 40% of the recovery amount. Should the liens exceed the common fund set aside for liens, the Lien Act breaks the liens into two separate and distinct categories:

What if there is one big hospital lien?

Lets say your case settles for $50,000 and there is a hospital lien for $30,000. This is the only lien there is. The common fund would be $20,000: $10,000 for the hospitals and $10,000 for the physicians.

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