< Agent Blog
Oct
22
,
2024

Special Election Period (SEP) in effect for Arkansas

October 22, 2024
Cigna

Special Election Period (SEP) in effect for Arkansas: Severe Storms and Flooding - Retroactive Approval

This is an important announcement for agents with customers in Arkansas and for those with business in these states. The counties below are under a federal or state designated SEP due to an emergency.

Please note: A disaster SEP application is only valid while the SEP declaration is in effect. If an end date is not listed below, please refer to the Ongoing SEP tracker in Producers’ University for the most up-to-date information. Any SEP applications submitted outside of that SEP’s declaration date will be rejected.

IMPORTANT: Please be aware

  • This does not mean that active marketing can occur.
  • The SEP is only for the purpose of providing a SEP to impacted individuals who had a valid election during the incident and were unable to make that election due to the emergency.
  • This does not mean that Cigna Healthcare initiates waiving of authorization or referral requirements.
  • This does not extend waiving of prior authorizations, referrals etc.

SEP for Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency

42 CFR 422.62(b)(18)

(Rev. 2, Issued: August 12, 2020; Effective/Implementation: 01-01-2021)

An SEP exists for individuals affected by a disaster or other emergency declared by a Federal, state, or local government entity who were unable to, and did not make an election during another valid election period. This includes both enrollment and disenrollment elections.

Individuals are eligible for this SEP if they:

  • reside or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period where a federal, state, or local government entity declared a disaster or other emergency.
  • were eligible for another election period at the time of the Disaster Election Period (DST) eligibility period.
  • did not make an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency.

The SEP starts on the date the declaration was made or the incident start date whichever is earlier. The SEP ends two full calendar months following the end date identified in the declaration or the date the end of the incident is announced, whichever is later.

State declaration: Severe Storms and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 07/12/2023 - 01/07/2025

This SEP declaration is effective: 07/12/2023 - 02/28/2025

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Nevada County

Updates to Cigna's DST application process

Two key updates:

1. The date of the disaster is no longer required on any DST applications.  

2. The missed election period is not required on most applications. See clarification below.

Keep in mind: Some missed election periods will still require you to input the missed election period AND the date of the missed election period on the application. Some examples include MOV (moving) or LEC (losing group coverage). The application will contain an "open" date field next to the SEP selections that still require a date to help you know when it is required.

Please read below for important application instructions.

For all applications, ensure that the following fields are completed:

  • Select "SEP" in the Select Enrollment Period field.
  • Enter code "DST" in the SEP Code field.
  • If applicable, enter the date that applies for the missed election period. For example, a date is needed only if the missed SEP already required a date, such as moving, losing group coverage, losing or gaining Medicaid, etc. If the missed SEP or election period does not require a date on the application, the missed election period is not required. However, adding it on the application will expedite our review process. (i.e., AEP, OEP, LIS, MDE).

DST is not a stand-alone election period. For questions about DST eligibility, please review our Election Period grid, found in the Resource Center of Producers' University.

View Details >View Details >

Questions? Call us at 855-888-8326.

Don't have a MedCareValue page yet?

Get Your FREE Site >

Posts you may be interested in...

Read More

IMPORTANT: Network update - Cleveland Clinic and Sarasota Memorial (Florida)

October 28, 2024
Agent Blog Icon - Indicates this is a blog article.

UnitedHealthcare and Cleveland Clinic have reached agreement on a new multi-year contract for the health system’s hospitals, facilities and its physicians throughout Florida.

Read More

UPMC For Life Flex New Star Ratings Flier

October 24, 2024
Agent Blog Icon - Indicates this is a blog article.

The 2025 star ratings have been announced, and UPMC for Life’s HMO and PPO plans have received an above-average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from Medicare for 2025.

Read More

Cigna VBE and HRA program reminders

October 24, 2024
Agent Blog Icon - Indicates this is a blog article.

Don't miss this opportunity to earn some extra money while also helping your customers transition to their new Cigna Healthcare MA plan.

Read More

UnitedHealthcare: JarvisWRAP for October 21

October 22, 2024
Agent Blog Icon - Indicates this is a blog article.

Benefits information, a simple C-SNP verification process and more

Read More

Highmark's 2025 Star Ratings Released

October 21, 2024
Agent Blog Icon - Indicates this is a blog article.

Scores were strong again this year, with many plans achieving the highest score possible!

Read More

UPMC For Life IMPORTANT! Part D changes

October 21, 2024
Agent Blog Icon - Indicates this is a blog article.

Recent changes include updates to the Part D prescription drug coverage stages and adjustments to UPMC for Life’s cost sharing.

Who we are & what we do.

Choosing an FMO to work with is not just about having access to top insurance products and commissions, it’s about finding a one-on-one agent service that is prepared to meet your needs.  

Get to know us, and see how we can help you take your business to the next level.

Learn More

Helpful Links

New Here?

We love meeting new people! Fill out the form below, and one of our sales directors will get in touch with you shortly.

Thank you! Your form has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form