The DST-SEP notification and application process is changing

Per direction from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Special Election Period for Individuals Affected by a Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency (also known as the DST-SEP) election process will change effective April 1, 2025.

In addition to changes for affected individuals (“customers”), there will be changes to how you, brokers, may access DST-SEP information. Please see below for dates and details.

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What this means for your customers

Beginning on April 1, customers impacted by a declared emergency or disaster:

• must call CMS at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)* to see if they qualify for or to make a DST-SEP election.
• may no longer self-enroll into a plan using a DST-SEP.
• may no longer work with a broker to enroll into a plan using a DST-SEP.

Please also note:

• Applications with a DST-SEP election dated:
  • On or before March 31: Will be processed.
  • After March 31: Will not be processed for the DST-SEP. Next steps:
    • The enrollment team sees if the customer is eligible for another SEP.
    • If no applicable SEP is found, the customer's application will be denied, and they'll receive a letter notifying them of the denial.
    • Salesforce will be updated with application status.
• An explanatory notice outlining this and other SEP changes will be included in paper sales enrollment kits.

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What this means for you

Broker access to DST-SEP declarations will change as follows:

• Until February 28: You will continue to receive DST-SEP declaration notification emails from Cigna.
• Until March 31: You may continue to access DST-SEP declarations on Producers’ University (login required).
• On or after April 1:
  • Depending on disaster type (e.g., state, FEMA), you will need to access disaster declaration information on state government websites or on FEMA.gov.
  • Please direct impacted customers to call CMS at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to determine if they qualify for or to use a DST-SEP.
    • Again, customer applications including a DST-SEP election, and which are dated and received after March 31, are no longer accepted by the plan. See the section above for the review and notification process.
• The explanatory notice mentioned above will also be available on Producers' University to use with electronic sales enrollment kits.

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This change is designed to ensure the integrity of the DST-SEP, providing enrollment options only for those customers impacted by a declared emergency or disaster.

If you have any questions, please contact The Cigna Agent Resource Line (CARL) or your local Broker Manager team.

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