As of October 1, 2022 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS, have implemented new guidelines that urge all of their agents and brokers to record all of their calls. The problem for agents and brokers who are customers of Comcast or Verizon, is that their phone systems cannot record calls. To ensure compliance with CMS requirements, agents and brokers would benefit greatly by switching to VoIP Business Phone Systems. Read on to learn more about the new rulings made by CMS and why VoIP Business Phone Systems are the best phone systems for agents and brokers to implement in order to be compliant.

What Are Business VoIP Phones?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a technology that allows voice communication over an internet connection rather than using traditional landlines or cell phones. With a business VoIP phone system, you can make calls from any device with an internet connection, such as your computer or smartphone. In addition, these systems enable you to track calls, record conversations, store call data, and enable other features such as video conferencing. All this makes VoIP ideal for businesses looking for reliable performance with added security features in mind.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid New Ruling

The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid recently implemented new requirements that have the potential to completely change the landscape of how agencies and brokers sell Medicare Advantage and/or Part D plans. As part of the ruling, agents and brokers must now accurately document all marketing calls where these plans are discussed, which adds a new level of responsibility for those offering these types of services. Going forward, it is important for agencies and brokers to remain diligent in their record-keeping practices. They must ensure that they are in compliance with this regulation as failure to do so could lead to serious consequences. It is clear that the best way to navigate through these changes is to consider the benefits of switching to a VoIP business phone system.

Benefits of Business VoIP For CMS Agents And Brokers

As mentioned above, the new guidelines from CMS require agents and brokers to record all of their calls as of October 2022. If you are currently using a phone system provided by Comcast or Verizon, then you won’t be able to comply with this ruling because those systems do not have call recording capabilities. However, if you switch over to a VoIP Business Phone System right away, then you will have no problem meeting the requirements set forth by CMS.

Additionally, there are many other advantages associated with using business VoIP such as:

  • Cost Efficiency: due to lower monthly bills
  • Portability: you can take your number with you wherever you go
  • Scalability: you can easily add additional lines when needed
  • Flexibility: they offer custom settings for different users
  • Increased Security: most systems offer encryption for added security
  • Automated Call Routing: route incoming calls automatically based on customer needs
  • Advanced Analytics: track customer interactions for better customer service
  • Integration With Existing Software Programs: such as CRMs and billing systems
  • Improved Customer Support Services: customers can contact your business from anywhere around the world at any time!

Staying Ahead of New CMS Rulings with Business VoIP from Lighthouse Communications

Whether you’re an insurance agent or broker looking for an easy way to meet the updated CMS requirements or someone looking for a more efficient way to handle your business needs, switching to a business VoIP system is definitely worth it. Not only will it provide you with better sound quality & added security, but it will also help you save money in installation & maintenance costs. Business VoIP phones offer you access to incredible features such as call recording capabilities & automated call routing options. These will help you to stay compliant without having to spend extra on additional hardware or software solutions.

So, if you’re an agent or broker working with CMS programs, now is definitely the time to switch your existing phone system over to a VOIP based solution – Call Lighthouse Communications today to get started!