Thank you, Ben, and thank you all for joining. I have not been more excited about a product launch in my four and a half years with Cigna Supplemental Benefits. That’s saying a lot because we launched a great dental plan three years ago, and it took off like wildfire.

I apologize I’m not on video today due to some unforeseen construction at my condo, so if you hear noise, I apologize. The timing for this product launch couldn’t be better. You’ve been seeing first looks at other Medicare Advantage carriers and their changes. It’s fortunate for us that we are able to launch this product now. We are starting in eight states, with about 32 states approved in total, and we’ll keep you updated on additional state rollouts.

When developing this product, we looked at major competitors and aimed to be as good, if not better. I know you’ll start running quotes and compare us. I can’t wait to hear your feedback. Ben already has the slide presentation, and I’ll also send a spreadsheet Excel rate calculator so you can run sample quotes. This product will be live to quote on October 14th in Pennsylvania and later in other states.

Before diving into the hospital indemnity plan, I want to highlight other Cigna Supplemental Benefits products. We have a full portfolio, starting with Medicare supplement plans, which are competitive in Pennsylvania. We also offer dental, vision, and hearing plans with strong benefits, and a cancer, heart attack, stroke plan, which is very popular. A version of the cancer or heart attack stroke plan can be added as a rider to the hospital indemnity plan.

In states where the new hospital indemnity plan is not yet launched, like Kentucky, we have an existing plan to offer. We also have a cancer treatment plan covering chemotherapy and radiation, and a choice accident plan, which can be added as a rider to the new hospital indemnity plan. For clients concerned about funeral costs, we offer a whole life policy, up to $25,000, with simplified underwriting. We have a strong slate of products for clients’ needs.

For Medicare supplement plans, agents are starting to see value in Plan N for clients who may not prefer Medicare Advantage due to copays or MOOPs, even if premiums were previously low. Cigna offers a 20% discount for two enrollments in a household, which often results in the best rates. This discount is based on statistically lower claims in households with two members enrolled.

Our focus is on rate stability. Many carriers are taking 7–10% rate increases nationally, but we have kept Plan G under 6% and Plan N under 5.5%. Our dental, vision, and hearing plan offers up to $5,000 annual benefits with waiting periods waived for clients with prior coverage. This standalone option is particularly valuable given reductions in embedded dental benefits from competitors.

Looking at commissions, selling 10 supplemental products per month at an average premium of $385 over five years could result in over a million dollars in combined new business and renewal commissions. While agents don’t sell for commission, this highlights the financial impact of offering clients a full portfolio.

Now, let’s focus on the new hospital indemnity plan. Many clients have experienced hospital stays, and this plan can offset inpatient copays. Introducing hospital indemnity during a compliant Medicare Advantage presentation is simple: ask where clients have coverage and explain how the plan can help. Pairing hospital indemnity with dental or cancer, heart attack, stroke coverage creates a strong package.

Agents need to remember competitors are contacting clients. Hospital stays are costly, with the average cost of $14,000 per stay, and ambulance and ER visits can also be expensive. Observation days are also important. These products can pair well with Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, or ACA under-65 plans. Chemotherapy coverage gaps exist in Medicare Advantage, so hospital indemnity and cancer plans help offset exposure. Typical coverage sold ranges from $5,000–$15,000 to provide meaningful protection.

Follow-up is key. Scope of appointment compliance is crucial when offering supplemental products. Ask about clients’ existing coverage and revisit conversations periodically, as life events may change their interest in these products. Implementing a 30–60–90 day follow-up process ensures you capture opportunities.

The new hospital indemnity plan is designed to be competitive in terms of commission, premium, and benefits.

In this section, the speaker introduces the hospital indemnity plans being rolled out in Arizona, with additional states coming online later, including Texas, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Alabama, and Wisconsin. The plans are positioned as competitive, often within a dollar of major competitors, and offer slightly better benefits. The coverage is available for individuals aged 18 to 89, including clients under 65, and can be useful for situations where one spouse is eligible for Medicare while the other is not. A guaranteed issue option is available for ages 64 to 70 with the core plan, while simplified underwriting is offered for everyone else, with potential declines handled through the agent resource team.

The core benefits focus on hospital confinement, with coverage available from the first day of hospitalization. Clients can choose a one-day hospital confinement benefit or a daily benefit ranging from three to 31 days. Observation room coverage can be set at either 25 percent or 100 percent of the hospital confinement benefit, with the higher option recommended to avoid gaps in coverage. Mental health and substance abuse hospitalizations are also covered, up to five days per year at 100 percent of the hospital confinement benefit. The plans provide worldwide coverage, guaranteeing payment for hospitalizations outside the United States, although claim processing may take longer due to translation needs. These plans are guaranteed renewable for life, with premiums generally stable and rare increases only every few years.

There are three plan tiers: Core, Preferred, and Premier. The Core plan includes the basic benefits and is available for guaranteed issue applicants. The Preferred plan adds coverage for ambulance services, emergency room visits, and skilled nursing, while the Premier plan includes outpatient rehab, outpatient surgical procedures, and limited x-ray coverage. Optional riders can enhance the coverage further, including additional ambulance services, outpatient diagnostics and x-rays, hospital admission benefits of up to $4,000 per year, and intensive care coverage for up to 10 days per year. It is important to note that the hospital admission rider does not apply to mental health or substance abuse confinements.

Eligibility and underwriting require attention to knockout questions, which include recent hospitalizations, pending major surgeries, and significant medical conditions such as diabetes complications, COPD, cancer, or ALS. For multiple applicants, the oldest adult must be primary, and children are not eligible. Underwriters are available to clarify uncertain cases, making the process straightforward.

Pricing examples show the affordability of these plans. A 65-year-old female Medicare Advantage client selecting the Core plan with $300 per day for five days would pay $22.60 per month, and she may qualify for a premium “give back,” making it even more cost-effective. A 42-year-old under-65 client selecting the Premier plan with a one-day $1,000 hospital admission benefit would pay $35.36 per month, which could offset high deductibles on ACA plans.

The broker portal is user-friendly, allowing agents to quote and enroll multiple products for multiple clients on a single application. Agents can view their book of business, export it to Excel, check commissions and incentives, access training resources, and monitor application status. Quoting begins with basic information such as zip code, date of birth, and gender, after which all available plans in the state are displayed for selection. The application includes knockout questions to identify clients who are temporarily ineligible due to recent health events or major medical conditions.

In addition to commissions, agents can earn bonuses, such as a lead mailer after selling four MedSup plans in a month, retroactive payments of $100 per MedSup application, and $25 bonuses for supplemental products like dental, vision, and hearing after selling five in a month. Agents who achieve $180,000 in premium between June 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025, qualify for an incentive trip to Napa Valley, California. Overall, these hospital indemnity plans offer flexible, affordable, and comprehensive coverage options with supportive tools and financial incentives for agents.