Last year, we hosted a large number of webinars, sometimes one or two per week, covering a variety of topics. Some included carrier partners, others focused on Social Security, and many addressed different areas of the industry. All of these sessions were recorded and are still relevant today. If you have time, I encourage you to visit our YouTube page to catch up or refresh your knowledge at your convenience.

This year, we are taking a slightly different approach. We are launching a weekly email series titled “Did You Know.” The information shared is not new, but it is designed to keep you up to date and reinforce important concepts. If you ever want to explore a topic more deeply or need clarification, please reach out. We are here to be a resource, and education is what we are passionate about.

For our Gemini agents, we are excited to invite you to a Gemini event taking place on Leap Day, February 29, at Decades in Lancaster. This event is our way of saying thank you to our elite-level partners who write business with URL. This invitation is for producers only. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Gemini agent, feel free to reach out to me after the webinar so we can discuss how the program may benefit you.

Our leadership team is also planning our VIP producer events for top producers from the 2023 calendar year. Invitations will be sent based on total production across all lines of business, including PENNIE, Medicare, group health, life insurance, and annuities. These invitations will be sent in advance of the event, which is scheduled for May, with more details to be announced soon.

Regarding CMS updates, there has been a lot of discussion about proposed changes and how they may impact our industry. There are still many unknowns heading into 2025. Typically, CMS releases a preliminary proposal in April or May. These documents are lengthy and not final, so there is no need to be alarmed when they are released. They do, however, provide insight into potential changes. Once information becomes available, Karen McDaniel, our Director of Compliance, will share her analysis and guidance with you.

Today, we are joined by Devoted, a carrier that has been in the market for over six years and continues to grow nationwide. While they are newer to Pennsylvania, they are expanding rapidly, particularly in neighboring states like Ohio. Devoted is a carrier worth watching. Their business philosophy and technology truly set them apart, especially their coordination of benefits and provider communication. They are also very active within the agent community, hosting events such as pit stops and happy hours to engage with producers locally.

We are joined today by Nicole Green, the broker representative for Devoted. She will walk you through what it looks like to work with Devoted and how to get ready to sell. Nicole, thank you for being here.

Thank you, Christie, for having me. I appreciate our partnership and look forward to working more closely together in 2024 with URL and your agent partners. Today, I will focus on how to get ready to sell with Devoted, what happens after you are ready to sell, and what it looks like to be an agent partner with us.

Our 2024 AEP theme was “Rock and Roll,” which some of you may have seen during our rollout events. We had a lot of fun with it and enjoyed connecting with agents during those sessions.

Our mission is to dramatically improve the health and well-being of older Americans by caring for every member like family. Technology plays a significant role in how we deliver on that mission. Our system, called Orinoco, supports everything we do.

Our Devoted Guides, who function similarly to customer service representatives, are a major part of our approach. Unlike traditional call centers, our guides are stateside, answer calls within 30 seconds, and remain on the phone as long as needed to resolve issues. Ninety percent of member concerns are resolved on the first call, and ninety-two percent are resolved within three days. Members can even request the same guide each time they call, allowing for continuity and a more personal experience.

In addition to our health plans, we conduct weekly trainings and webinars to support agents. We also prioritize partnerships with local providers to strengthen our presence in growing markets like Pennsylvania. These relationships help foster collaboration between carriers, agents, and providers.

Devoted Medical is our internal medical team made up of doctors and pharmacists. Members can reach out with health-related questions at no additional cost, which helps reduce unnecessary visits to urgent care or the emergency room. The team also assists with community-based needs, such as housing resources, offering support beyond traditional insurance services.

Orinoco serves as the central system for agents, members, claims, and enrollment information, creating a seamless experience for everyone involved.

Devoted has been in operation for over six years. After initially launching in five states, we expanded significantly in the past year and now operate in more than one hundred counties. Pennsylvania is part of this growth, and further expansion within the state is planned.

We currently offer five-star plans in Ohio and Florida, and we are hopeful for a strong star rating in Pennsylvania in the future. Our membership has grown consistently each year, largely driven by referrals. Eighty-six percent of our membership comes from referrals, and we invest very little in traditional marketing. Instead, we rely on partnerships with brokers and agents.

Our onboarding process for agents is designed to be quick and easy. Certification typically takes under an hour, and agents are usually ready to sell within a week. Once certified, agents gain access to the agent portal, where they can manage enrollments, track their book of business, review SEPs, and access marketing resources.

The agent portal also allows for enrollment submissions, event registration, and communication with agent support. Electronic enrollments process faster, often within a single day. Agents can complete health risk assessments through the portal, earning additional compensation and helping identify member needs.

Devoted celebrates agent success through the Star Sellers program, which recognizes production milestones and rewards agents with marketing funds, AHIP reimbursement, and other incentives. Agents can use marketing funds through the marketing storefront to order branded materials, promotional items, and retention tools.

The marketing storefront is accessible directly from the agent portal and allows agents to customize materials with their name and contact information. Social media assets, event materials, and member retention tools are all available in one place.

This concludes today’s overview of getting ready to sell with Devoted. If you have any questions, please feel free to share them in the chat or reach out to Christie or me directly.

Thank you again for joining us today. We appreciate your time and partnership, and we look forward to working with you throughout the year.