Exciting News from Everest

Everest Expands Medicare Supplement Plans into CO, KS, & TN

Everest contracting in Colorado, Kansas, & Tennessee July 1, 2017.

• Medicare Supplement Plans were launched in the following states on April 1. 2017

Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska

• Medicare Supplement Plans were launched in the following states on May 1, 2017

Mississippi

Exciting Administrative News from Everest

DO NOT collect premium with an application that is being faxed or uploaded

E-Apps are encouraged. For the Faxed App Program please note:

Only applications paying the initial premium by bank draft should be faxed or uploaded

For agents submitting ‘paper’ application or a ‘wet signature’ E-App, Everest encourages agents to utilize the Upload Document(s) link via Document(s) Upload section on the Everest Agent Portal.

• Unlike faxed applications, this feature allows agents to immediate confirm receipt and view any uploaded document via the View Uploaded Document(s)
• Whether submitting via the Upload Document(s) or via Faxed Application, the Fax Application Transmittal Cover Sheet, form EVFTCS 02/2017, will provide the appropriate instructions

Everest Contact Information

• With so many new agents and business ramping up, an influx of questions is certain to follow.  It is important for everyone to contact the right department for answers and for this reason we have posted the Everest Contact Information sheet on the home page of the Everest Agent Portal.
• NOTE:  Contact information updates will be posted on the Everest Agent Portal

How to submitted a Voided Check

• Agents frequently affix a Voided Check over the grid chart located under Section VI, Question #10 (page 5) of the application, which is the Medications list section.  We understand why, HOWEVER, the application prints with the policy, thus the applicant’s Voided Check becomes part of the policy.  Since this is not a recommend business practice, we strongly encourage agents to affix the Voided Check to the ELECTRONIC PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION FORM.
• NOTE:  We are looking to modify the ELECTRONIC PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION FORM with ‘white space’ for a voided check going forward.  We will inform all agents when this is completed.

Forms Update – agents talk and we listened

ILLINOIS

• The State of Illinois requires a “Policy Checklist” checklist be left with the applicant pertaining to the plan selected.  There checklists are NOT a part of our application packet.
• Agents can download and print the form directly off our Everest Supply Website or contact your FMO.

LOUISIANA and TEXAS

• LA and TX were both original states approved for Everest.  Since the EFT Form was not part of the filing, it was left out of the original forms list incorporated into our application packets in error.
• At this time, we can accommodate agents in three ways:
• Agents can download and print an application packet directly off our Everest Supply Website – this electronic packet does include the EFT Form.
• Agents can download and print an application packet directly off our Everest Supply Website – this electronic packet does include the EFT Form.

PREMIUM RECEIPT

• Everest does not require a Conditional Receipt or Premium Receipt.  However, agents have requested we incorporate a Premium Receipt into our application packets as applicants occasionally request documentation confirming premiums paid with the application.
• Agents can download and print a Premium Receipt from any of the state folders on our Everest Supply Website
• Once existing supplies of our application packets are exhausted, we will incorporate the Premium Receipt into the reprinted application packets.

P.O. BOXES

• Some agents working the rural areas have noted the U.S. Post Office does not deliver to street addresses, but rather to a P.O. Box.
• The application specifically requests the “Resident Street Address (no PO Box)”
• However, if you do run into this situation, we still ask the agent to provide the Resident Street Address, but they may write “MAILING ADDRESS” on the application and indicate a P.O. Box which we would capture.
• It may sound trivial that Everest would not just add a line for a P.O. Box, but applications are state approved forms, so we cannot change them without refiling.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Declination Notification Process

• Declines are not taken lightly.  When the primary underwriter believe an application does not qualify for coverage, it is escalated to a senior underwriter for a 2^nd Several agents have asked what our notification protocol is when an underwritten application is declined.  We encourage agents to review the New Business & Underwriting Manual, which documents our protocol, but essentially the follow takes place:
  • If an application is declined, both the agent and the applicant are notified.
    • The agent is sent an email directing them to the Everest Agent Portal “Message Center”.
    • The applicant is mailed a notification letter.
    • NOTE:  The notification will indicate if the declination is based on information obtained via: Application; Telephone Interview; Medical Records; or Medical History (i.e., doctor’s statement, prior claims history from previous coverage, etc.)
  • If the reason for decline was non-medical or came from information listed on the application, we are able to release this information verbally to both the agent and applicant.
  • If the reason for decline came from information the applicant disclosed during the phone interview, we will advise the applicant verbally or send “the reason for decline letter” directly to the applicant only.  The request only can be made verbally or in writing by the agent or applicant.
  • If the reason for decline came from medical records or information obtained directly from a physician – we will only release the reason for declination to a physician of the applicant’s choice.  This request should be in writing from the applicant only and specify the name, address and phone number of the physician.  This request must also be signed by the applicant.
• If you believe a declination is not warranted, please document your rational in writing and submit via the “Document(s) Upload” feature on the Everest Agent Portal.
• NOTE:  It is certainly not Everest’s intent to be more rigid than our competitors, so we invite an appeal if you believe this to be the case.  Always understand applicants may not remember certain medications or treatment received or even the exact medical condition associated with a specific medication and we want our underwriters to be thorough, yet fair.