Broker Newsletter - July 2026

Publish Date

Your July Newsletter Update

We want to make it easier for you to provide Tufts Health Plan as a solution to your clients. To help support your hard work, here is what we thought you should know this month: 

 

4 steps to get ready for AEP

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for 2027 will be here soon (October 15th - December 7th). It's crucial to start your preparations now to ensure a successful and compliant enrollment season. We're committed to supporting you every step of the way, providing the resources and information you need to serve your clients effectively.

See 4 steps

 

Ready-to-sell training deck

With AEP just a few months away, make sure your license is up to date and you are ready to sell. Watch for a helpful ready-to-sell training deck available soon. 

 

D-SNP applications can now be completed in the Broker Portal

We’re excited to share that D-SNP applications can now be completed directly through the Broker Portal. This new capability makes enrollment more streamlined by allowing you to capture application data digitally and submit for e-signature in one workflow. Paper/PDF applications will remain available when needed, but the Broker Portal is now the primary system of record for D-SNP enrollments.

Thank you to everyone who attended our training last week. We recorded the webinar and you can now view by clicking here. 

Watch the recording

 

Health Outcomes Survey mailing in July

Beginning July 20, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin mailing the annual Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) to Medicare plan members including Tufts Health Plan members.

We have provided general information about the survey below in case your clients contact you with any questions. The HOS provides a great opportunity for us to learn more about our members’ health status in aggregate and any concerns they may have. If you receive any inquiries, please be sure to encourage completion. 

  • The HOS asks questions about physical and mental health, daily activities, and sleep patterns. (Click here to see a sample.)
  • Members are randomly sampled; not all members are surveyed
  • The HOS and pre-notification letter are sent by a vendor as required by CMS
  • Communication timeline: 
    • Pre-notification letter mailing –July 13 (Click here to see a sample.)
    • 1st survey mailing – July 22
    • 2nd survey mailing – August 24
    • Phone attempts to non-responders – September 14 – November 2
    • Members have until November 2 to respond
  • Surveys are sent to Tufts Health Plan members in English, Spanish, or Chinese (based on the members’ language preference we have on file)
  • Survey results are aggregated, Tufts Health Plan does not receive member-identifiable responses
  • Members of the following plans may receive an HOS:
    • Tufts Health Plan Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
    • Tufts Health One Care