Logo
    Contact us
    Logo

    support@sparkadvisors.com

    [ARCHIVED] Spark Help Center (VISIT https://help.sparkadvisors.com/en/)
    [ARCHIVED] Spark Help Center (VISIT https://help.sparkadvisors.com/en/)
    /
    Archived Guides
    /
    Agent Training - Old

    Agent Training - Old

    If you are new-to-Medicare, start with the Medicare Basics videos and self-study materials and resources

    ‣

    Self-study Medicare Basics

    Getting started

    About SparkAbout SparkAEP 2026AEP 2026Onboard to our platformOnboard to our platformLa Plataforma en EspañolLa Plataforma en EspañolSpark Support TeamsSpark Support Teams

    The Spark platform

    Platform FeaturesPlatform FeaturesQuote & EnrollQuote & EnrollMarketingMarketingClient ServicesClient ServicesClient RetentionClient RetentionRecord Your CallsRecord Your CallsPlatform ChangelogPlatform Changelog

    Back office

    Finance & CommissionsFinance & CommissionsContractingContractingComplianceCompliance

    Carrier Resources

    Contacts & EventsContacts & EventsPlans & InsightsPlans & InsightsAdditional MaterialsAdditional Materials

    Training

    Agent TrainingAgent TrainingLive trainingsLive trainings
    Welcome to our Self-Study Bootcamp. It is a self-study guide based on many of the resources we have across the agent resource center. We recommend following the order laid out below.

    Module 0: Introduction to Spark

    Guide to Spark
    Platform onboarding

    Module 1: Fundamentals

    Basics of Medicare
    Medicare 101
    • New to Medicare Video Series
    Basics of Medicare Advantage (MA/PD)
    Basics of Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
    List to call recordings
    Selling year-round

    Module 2: Running an Appointment

    Landing an Appointment (Introducing Yourself)
    • Intro to Vimeo Recordings (Henry’s Elevator Pitch)
    • Practice Elevator Pitch
    Running a Successful Appointment
    • Start-to-finish
    • Collecting SOAs, Running a Quote, and Plan Comparison
      • Video walkthrough 1
      • Video walkthrough 2
    • Needs asssessment
    Practice time! [Mock sales appointments]
    Enrollment Process: familiarize yourself with carrier portals and Spark’s integrated Quote & Enroll tool.

    Module 3: HRAs, Medicaid, and Supplementary Products

    Introducing and completing HRA’s
    Importance of LIS & Medicaid
    Dental, health & vision benefits
    Life insurance

    Module 4: Succeeding as an Independent Agent -- New Business

    Basic Review of Spark Resource Center
    Selecting your carriers with the Data Studio
    Knowing your strengths and weaknesses using SWOT
    Importance of Field Marketing MarketingMarketing
    • Talking Points to improve your referral pipeline & generating touchpoints
    Setting up events & giving presentations

    Module 5: Succeeding as an Independent Agent -- Client Management

    Test your ability: Take our practice diagnostic

    ← Previous

    Add link here

    Next →

    Add link here

    • If you are new-to-Medicare, start with the Medicare Basics videos and self-study materials and resources
    • Self-study Medicare Basics
    • Medicare Basics Resources - Helpful documents and links
    • Election/Enrollment Periods, including Special Enrollment Periods (SEP’s)
    • Dual Eligible and Extra Help/LIS SEP Changes
    • Running an appointment
    • Supplementary/Ancillary Insurance Products
    • Working with Veterans
    • Working with Providers
    • Medicare Supplements

    Medicare Basics Videos (1)

    I. Medicare Basics IntroI. Medicare Basics Intro
    I. Medicare Basics Intro
    II. What is Medicare?II. What is Medicare?
    II. What is Medicare?
    III. Original Medicare Parts A & BIII. Original Medicare Parts A & B
    III. Original Medicare Parts A & B
    IV. Part D-Prescription Drug CoverageIV. Part D-Prescription Drug Coverage
    IV. Part D-Prescription Drug Coverage
    V. Part C - Medicare AdvantageV. Part C - Medicare Advantage
    V. Part C - Medicare Advantage
    VI. Medicare SupplementsVI. Medicare Supplements
    VI. Medicare Supplements
    VII. Medicare Coverage OptionsVII. Medicare Coverage Options
    VII. Medicare Coverage Options
    VIII. Medicare Enrollment PeriodsVIII. Medicare Enrollment Periods
    VIII. Medicare Enrollment Periods
    IX. Know your PlansIX. Know your Plans
    IX. Know your Plans
    X. Medicare Basics RecapX. Medicare Basics Recap
    X. Medicare Basics Recap
    M101: 2024 Medicare 101 PresentationM101: 2024 Medicare 101 Presentation
    M101: 2024 Medicare 101 Presentation

    Recorded Webinars (1)

    Maximizing Medicare Sales Year Round with SEP’sMaximizing Medicare Sales Year Round with SEP’s
    Maximizing Medicare Sales Year Round with SEP’s
    Grassroots MarketingGrassroots Marketing
    Grassroots Marketing
    Hosting A Medicare Educational EventHosting A Medicare Educational Event
    Hosting A Medicare Educational Event
    Understanding Extra Help & MedicaidUnderstanding Extra Help & Medicaid
    Understanding Extra Help & Medicaid
    Medicare - How to Run an Effective In-Person ConsultationMedicare - How to Run an Effective In-Person Consultation
    Medicare - How to Run an Effective In-Person Consultation
    2025 Medicare Part D Changes 7.31.24 Recording2025 Medicare Part D Changes 7.31.24 Recording
    2025 Medicare Part D Changes 7.31.24 Recording
    8.15.24 2025 Part D Changes Webinar 8.15.24 2025 Part D Changes Webinar
    8.15.24 2025 Part D Changes Webinar
    Guide to Medicare SupplementsGuide to Medicare Supplements
    Guide to Medicare Supplements
    2025 Medicare Advantage Trends2025 Medicare Advantage Trends
    2025 Medicare Advantage Trends
    9.18.24 Medicare Supplement Trends9.18.24 Medicare Supplement Trends
    9.18.24 Medicare Supplement Trends
    2025 Medicare D-SNP & LIS SEP Changes2025 Medicare D-SNP & LIS SEP Changes
    2025 Medicare D-SNP & LIS SEP Changes
    item
    ‣

    Medicare Basics Resources - Helpful documents and links

    2024 Medicare 101 Presentation.pdf48094.3KB
    2025-medicare-and-you.pdf3761.5KB
    Blank MA Plan Grid
    2025 Part D Changes (2).pdf1752.8KB
    Accessing Events_Webinars on Carrier Broker Portals.pdf61.6KB
    ‣
    Medicare marketing basics video
    ‣

    Election/Enrollment Periods, including Special Enrollment Periods (SEP’s)

    ‣

    General Information about Enrollment/Election Periods: Use the Carrier Enrollment Period Guides below to assist in choosing the correct enrollment period prior to completing an enrollment form.

    Aetna medicare_election_periods guide 4.18.24.pdf1708.6KB
    Devoted election-period-guide November 2024.pdf757.4KB
    Humana Election Periods Guide 1.23.25539.3KB
    UHC 2024-2025 Election Period Booklet 12042024 v4.pdf578.6KB
    ‣

    Open Enrollment Period (OEP) Resources

    Humana OEP Reminders Dec 2024.pdf201.8KB
    Devoted 2025 Broker_OEP_training_guide.pdf315.7KB
    ‣

    Weather Disaster SEP’s - how to find SEP lists on Carrier Broker Portals/Update to Weather SEP 4/1/25

    Weather_Disaster SEP lists on Carrier Sites.pdf48.8KB

    Aetna

    • Log in to the broker portal, Producer World
    • Scroll down and click on Individual Medicare under News Heading….different than from Individual Medicare in the top toolbar
    • On Producer News page click on Individual Medicare tab
    • Click on SEP announcements and a menu will open by month and state

    Anthem

    • Log in to the broker portal, Producer Toolbox
    • Scroll down to Medicare Quick Links on right side
    • Click on Broker Connect
    • Click On Communications in upper toolbar
    • Scroll down to Updated SEP Disaster Declaration List
    • Click on Learn More and an excel file will download

    Cigna

    • Log in to the Broker Portal, Cigna for Brokers
    • Scroll down to Tools and click on Medicare Producers University
    • Click on Resource Center
    • Click on Agent Communications
    • Ongoing SEPs, Disaster, and Emergency Declarations
    • Click on Ongoing SEP Tracker and an Excel sheet will download

    Devoted

    • Log in to Devoted Agent Portal
    • On home page scroll down to Sales Tools heading
    • You’ll see a link “View active SEP list”
    • Click on that list and a pdf will open

    Humana

    • Log in to Broker Portal, Vantage
    • Scroll down until you see Additional Resources heading (on the right side)
    • Look for a hyperlink titled “SEP for Individuals Affected by a Disaster or Emergency”.
    • Click on the hyperlink and it will open a pdf showing all available SEP’s by state.

    WellCare

    • Log in to Broker Portal
    • Click on Centene Workbench
    • Under Quick Links heading click on Broker Quick Links
    • Scroll down to Application & Enrollment Resources
    • Under Special Election Periods, click on Active SEP’s hyperlink
    • A new window will open with Active SEP’s

    UHC

    • Log in to broker portal, Jarvis
    • Type in SEP in Search Bar
    • Scroll down and click on “State SEP Information” link.
    • An Excel document will download showing available SEP’s
    ‣

    Change to Use of Disaster/Weather SEP

    Beginning April 1, 2025 individuals wishing to use the Disaster/Emergency SEP must call 1-800-MEDICARE in order to make the election. Plans are required to remove the Disaster/Emergency SEP from enrollment forms and the Plans will only receive the enrollments from CMS. Here is the full CMS memo dated 12/3/2024.

    Aetna

    ‣

    Dual/LIS Special Election Period Change

    Starting in 2025, full dual-eligible beneficiaries will have access to a new monthly SEP, which allows enrollment in highly or fully integrated Dual Special Needs Plans (HIDE/FIDE SNPs). In addition, any beneficiary qualified for LIS or Medicaid will be eligible for a monthly SEP to disenroll from their Medicare Advantage plan, return to Original Medicare, and enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).

    The quarterly SEP that many have used in the past for dual-eligible individuals and those receiving Part D low-income subsidies (LIS) is no longer available. The SEP available for the first 3 quarters of the year ended on September 30, 2024.

    UHC has state guides on Jarvis. Here are instructions: Jarvis>Knowledge Center>Medicare Product Resources>Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans>State-Level D-SNP Enrollment at a Glance Guides>State (click on state of client’s residence)

    Devoted has a FAQ: Devoted Health Plans 2025 SNP FAQ’s

    Wellcare has a 2025 Dual Eligible Plan Enrollment guide:

    Wellcare D-SNP PY2025 Enrollment Options_fnl.pdf123.2KB
    ‣

    Dual Eligible and Extra Help/LIS SEP Changes

    2025 Changes to Dual Eligible and LIS Beneficiaries

    Extra Help (LIS) | Why it matters✉️Help a client enroll in LIS or MSP
    ‣

    Running an appointment

    Set, run and close appointments whether over the phone or in-person

    ‣

    Setting appointments

    • Example scripts
    • Recommended video 1
    • Recommended video 2
    ‣

    Holding appointments

    • Running an Appointment (script)
    🆚Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplements😵Handling Objections📘Medicare Case Studies
    • Needs Analysis (1-pager)
    UHC Enrollment Process194.9KB

    Late Enrollment Calculator

    😍Best-of Call Recordings

    Video Walkthrough

    Phone Etiquette

    💡Election Periods
    ‣

    Advanced: Medicare Advantage & PDP

    🎲Comparing Medicare Advantage Plans🏥Looking up physicians, medications & benefits⚖️Choosing the right MA/MAPD💊All About Part D & PDPs🪞D-SNPs & C-SNPs
    ‣

    Advanced: Medicare Supplements

    MedSupp underwriting

    📚Explaining Medigap plan types
    👉🏽Selecting a Medigap plan
    ‣

    Supplementary/Ancillary Insurance Products

    While building the insurance business of your dreams, you usually focus on finding new clients. And while you DO need new clients to grow your business, you might be surprised at the number of additional sales you can make just by cross-selling to your existing book of business.

    In this series, we’ll look at ancillary products like Dental, Vision, and Hearing as well as Cancer and Heart Attack or Stroke products, Hospital Indemnity Plans and more.

    🦷Dental, Vision & Hearing Insurance🏥Hospital Indemnity Insurance🚑Cancer, Heart Attack and Stroke Insurance🧬Life & Final Expense🪔Long Term Care🎉Fixed Annuities
    Ancillary Insurance877.7KB
    ‣
    Company-specific brochures
    Cigna_Supp_Portfolio.pdf14191.9KB
    Aetna_Supp_Portfolio85.2KB

    Aetna cancer, Aetna dvh, Aetna Home Care Plus, Hospital Indemnity, Recovery Care

    GTL_products.pdf323.9KB

    https://allstatehealth.com/marketing-materials/

    MOO_produts.pdf4314.1KB

    ← Previous

    Compliance

    Next →

    Live trainings

    ‣

    Working with Veterans

    See below for a webinar recording on Working With Veterans and Resources

    Carrier Resources

    2024 Humana Veterans Playbook CP (1).pdf6360.0KB
    Humana TRICARE and CHAMPVA Enrollment Checklist.pdf141.2KB
    UHC VA and TFL Resources 03.31.2024_Original.pdf192.2KB
    UHC VA_TFL QRG 03.31.2024_Original.pdf383.4KB

    Carrier Websites

    • TRICARE website: https://www.tricare.mil/
    • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://department.va.gov/
    • VFW: https://www.vfw.org/find-a-post
    • American Legion: https://www.legion.org/
    • Vietnam Veterans of America: https://vva.org/
    • Military Officers Association of America(MOAA): https://www.moaa.org/
    • The Retired Enlisted Association(TREA): https://www.trea.org/
    • UHC Jarvis Broker Portal: https://www.uhcjarvis.com/
      • Learning Lab has veteran and military retirees resources

    Webinar Recording

    Slide Deck - Working with Veterans.pdf2498.7KB
    ‣

    Working with Providers

    Provider_Related_Communication_and_Marketing_Materials.pdf121.6KB
    ‣

    Medicare Supplements

    ‣
    When are price increases for Medicare Supplements announced for each state and carrier?UnitedHealthcare’s monthly premium generally changes once a year. However, an enrolled insured member may see his/her monthly premium change after the first yearof coverage due to rate guarantee ending.and/or at other times when the Enrollment Discount changes on the policy anniversary. (varies by State)
    ‣
    Do plans pay commissions on client under 65?

    Typically plans do not pay commissions for clients aged under 65. We recommend checking commission statements before you write a policy, but the general guidelines for each carrier are:

    • Cigna: does not pay
    • UnitedHealthcare: only pays in CA (during first 6 months of Medicare Part B enrollment) and CO, FL, ID, IL, KS, ME, MN, MO, MT, NY, OR, PA, TN and WI. In these cases, the age 65+ commission applies. In PA, for years 1-6, commissions for all levels will be paid at 5% of the 65+ rates.
    • Humana: does not pay
      • image
    • If you are new-to-Medicare, start with the Medicare Basics videos and self-study materials and resources
    • Self-study Medicare Basics
    • Medicare Basics Resources - Helpful documents and links
    • Election/Enrollment Periods, including Special Enrollment Periods (SEP’s)
    • Dual Eligible and Extra Help/LIS SEP Changes
    • Running an appointment
    • Supplementary/Ancillary Insurance Products
    • Working with Veterans
    • Working with Providers
    • Medicare Supplements