Blog - Carolina Senior Marketing

January Medicare Updates for Agents: What You Need to Know to Start the Year Strong

January often brings a welcome slowdown after the intensity of AEP, but it’s far from quiet. Each new year comes with important Medicare updates for agents, and January is when many of those changes and enrollment opportunities take effect. From Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment to the General Enrollment Period and ongoing Marketplace deadlines, this month offers several ways to support clients, answer early-year questions, and start the year with confidence.As soon as the calendar turns to January, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period begins. This window is specifically for beneficiaries who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and…

January 2, 2026 Read More

Medicare

2027 MA & Part D Proposal: The Policy Shifts That Could Reshape Agent and Beneficiary Experiences

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the Proposed Rule for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D for Contract Year 2027. For agents, agencies, and Medicare beneficiaries, the rule introduces a series of promising changes aimed at simplifying processes and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens. While CMS’s press statements cover only a portion of these updates, the full proposal contains many important revisions that could significantly influence how agents operate and how consumers navigate their Medicare options. To help you understand what’s ahead, this summary breaks down the most significant updates, explains why CMS is making these changes,…

December 11, 2025 Read More

Medicare

How to Help Your Clients Stop Unwanted Medicare Calls During AEP

Every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), Medicare beneficiaries are bombarded with telemarketing calls. Some are legitimate outreach from agents or plan carriers, but many are illegal solicitations or Medicare scams that confuse and frustrate your clients. As an insurance agent, you can play a crucial role in helping your clients reduce unwanted Medicare calls and protect themselves from scams—all while reinforcing your value as a trusted advisor. One of the most effective ways to do this is by guiding them through registering on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry. Here’s a step-by-step strategy you can follow and…

November 25, 2025 Read More

Medicare

Medicare Costs In 2026: Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles

The 2026 Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays for Medicare Parts A and B were recently announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 14th. Here's everything you and your clients need to know. Medicare Part A For most Americans, the premium for Medicare Part A is free. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and some home healthcare services. Enrollees usually don’t pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A coverage if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. If your client doesn’t qualify for premium-free…

November 17, 2025 Read More

Medicare

What Not to Say at a Medicare Event: CMS Compliance Tips for Agents

Hosting Medicare events is one of the best ways to build your brand, generate leads, and serve your community. But in today’s regulatory environment, one slip-up can cost far more than just credibility. At Carolina Senior Marketing, we believe in doing things right, which means staying fully compliant with CMS rules while still delivering real value. We’ll walk through the language traps and “danger phrases” you must avoid, for both educational events and sales (marketing) events. We’ll also highlight key CMS rules you need to keep front-of-mind. If you want a handy checklist, just ask! We’re happy to share one.…

October 17, 2025 Read More

Medicare

AEP 2026: Your Roadmap to Success

The 2026 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is now just weeks away! To help you prepare, we’ve compiled important information, tools, and our most helpful tips and tricks into a roadmap, all leading you to a successful enrollment season. If you find yourself considering what to do next, start here! General AEP Overview: Every year, Medicare's open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. During this time, Medicare health and drug plans can make changes that may affect costs, coverage, and the network of providers and pharmacies. AEP allows all individuals with Medicare to change their health plans and…

September 25, 2025 Read More

Medicare

Medicare Advantage & PDP Commissions for 2026

CMS has officially released the maximum allowable commissions for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) for 2026. Each year, carriers are permitted to pay agents up to this CMS-set limit, but it’s important to note that they aren’t required to do so. That said, most carriers historically pay at the maximum rate. In fact, several have recently increased renewal commissions to the full allowable amount, both for new business and, in many cases, for existing renewals as well. Click here to see the full announcement document from CMS. Explaining the Rate Categories The Medicare Advantage and PDP commissions…

June 19, 2025 Read More

Older asian woman wearing a tan coat and laughing with an african- american man in a brown coat holding coffee in a park

Medicare

Medicare Costs In 2025: Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles

The 2025 Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays for Medicare Parts A and B were recently announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 8th. Here's everything you and your clients need to know. Medicare Part A For most Americans, the premium for Medicare Part A is free. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and some home healthcare services. Enrollees usually don’t pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A coverage if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. If your client doesn’t qualify for premium-free…

November 11, 2024 Read More

Medicare

Data Breach Alert: What Medicare Agents Need to Know About the CMS-WPS Security Incident

As an agency committed to transparency and security, we want to update you on recent news from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about a data breach potentially impacting Medicare beneficiaries. Knowing the details about the 2023 CMS data breach will help you advise and reassure clients effectively. Summary of the Incident CMS recently announced a data security incident involving its contractor, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS). WPS, a third-party contractor supporting CMS in Medicare enrollments and claims processing, detected unauthorized access to its systems. During a routine security check, CMS was notified that WPS’s systems had…

October 31, 2024 Read More

Prescription bottle and pills laying over cash with a calculator next to it.

Medicare

Medicare’s New Drug Price Negotiations to Save Billions

Medicare drug price negotiations for 2026 address the issue that Americans have long paid more for prescription drugs than other developed nations. Due to the Inflation Reduction Act, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can negotiate drug prices for the first time. This historic change is projected to save American taxpayers $6 billion and Medicare beneficiaries $1.5 billion in 2026 alone. Negotiated Prices for Medicare Drugs in 2026 The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized agreements on lower prices for the first 10 drugs selected for negotiation, reducing their list prices by 38-79%. These…

September 9, 2024 Read More

Medicare

2025 Medicare Part D Benefit Redesign: How to Share this News with Members

2025 Medicare Part D enrollees will no longer owe a 5% coinsurance on prescriptions after meeting the catastrophic coverage threshold Annual maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) expenses for Part D will be capped at $2,000 Maximum out-of-pocket cost-sharing for Part D-covered insulin products will be capped at $35 per month Currently, after reaching $8,000 to qualify for catastrophic coverage, beneficiaries still face some drug coinsurance costs, with no limit on the total out-of-pocket drug expenses they could incur. Eliminating the 5% coinsurance could benefit up to 1.3 million Part D enrollees while capping maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs is expected to assist an…

August 6, 2024 Read More

Medicare

Quick Tips for a Successful AEP 2025

As we approach this year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), we want to ensure you are fully prepared to help you serve your clients effectively and grow your business. Thanks to our partnership with Integrity, we are able to keep you informed with the latest news and updates. We will relay pertinent information to you prior to and throughout the AEP, so be on the lookout for our emails!  Here are some key areas to focus on as you prepare for AEP 2025: Automations & Efficiencies Integrity Technology Suite – Leverage the full capabilities of our technology suite to streamline your…

July 15, 2024 Read More

Understanding Your New Medicare Benefits in 2026

Filter

January Medicare Updates for Agents: What You Need to Know to Start the Year Strong

2027 MA & Part D Proposal: The Policy Shifts That Could Reshape Agent and Beneficiary Experiences

How to Help Your Clients Stop Unwanted Medicare Calls During AEP

Medicare Costs In 2026: Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles

What Not to Say at a Medicare Event: CMS Compliance Tips for Agents

AEP 2026: Your Roadmap to Success

Medicare Advantage & PDP Commissions for 2026

Medicare Costs In 2025: Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles

Data Breach Alert: What Medicare Agents Need to Know About the CMS-WPS Security Incident

Medicare’s New Drug Price Negotiations to Save Billions

2025 Medicare Part D Benefit Redesign: How to Share this News with Members

Quick Tips for a Successful AEP 2025