What are the regulations for marketing a Medicare sales event?
You must adhere to certain regulations for marketing your sales event. When creating ads or invites, you cannot require potential attendees to provide contact information to RSVP for the event. While you may plan to educate attendees on Medicare programs during your presentation, you cannot say your event is “educational.”
How much does Medicare pay for meals at an event?
The value of each meal, per anticipated attendee, is a nominal $15. That’s all there is when it comes to providing food at your next Medicare event. Interested in Getting More Medicare Marketing Guidance?
Can I host a Medicare educational event for enrollees?
Medicare educational events are an excellent way to gain the trust, and referral information, of enrollees in attendance. But before you host, present at, or attend an educational event for enrollees, there are some CMS guidelines (Medicare Communication & Marketing Guidelines, Section 50.1) you will have to follow.
What are the marketing guidelines for Medicare Advantage?
The Marketing guidelines reflect CMS' interpretation of the marketing requirements and related provisions of the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit rules (Chapter 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 422 and 423).
What is considered by CMS to be a sales and marketing event?
What Does CMS Consider a Sales Event or Appointment? An activity will be considered a sales event or appointment if it is designed to persuade potential enrollees to choose a specific plan (or set of plans), according to CMS.
What actions are prohibited during marketing sales events for Medicare?
Cannot send unsolicited text messages and leave voicemail messages. May call or visit beneficiaries who attended a marketing/sales event prior permission is given and documented. Cannot approach beneficiaries in common areas (i.e. parking lots, hallways, lobbies, sidewalks).
What is a Medicare informal sales event?
There are two types of sales events: formal and informal. Here's what sets them apart: Formal Sales Events: Agent presents plan-specific information to an audience invited to the occasion. Informal Sales Events: Agent offers plan info upon request only while at a table, booth, kiosk, or RV.
Can you provide food at a marketing sales event?
Yes, but it depends on the food. Brokers are allowed to provide “refreshments and light snacks” at marketing and sales events. However, brokers are not allowed to provide (or pay for) meals.
What are three main ways in which Medicare sales occur?
There are three different types of Medicare products sold by agents and brokers: Medicare Supplement plans (Also called Medigap plans), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D Rx plans.
What is bundling at a sales event?
Bundling is a marketing strategy where companies sell several products or services together as a single combined unit. The bundled products and services are usually related, but they can also consist of dissimilar items which appeal to one group of customers.
What are some examples of informal events?
Informal EventsTreasure Hunt. Rules.Roadies. Rules.Street Play. Rules.Wordsworth. Rules.Waste Management. Rules.Photography. Rules.Food Carnival (Take it Easy) Rules.Fastest Finger First. Rules.More items...
What is an formal marketing sales event for Medicare?
Formal marketing/sales events are structured events of an audience and presenter style with a salesperson providing plan-specific information via CMS and Carrier-approved sales presentations, talking points (if applicable), and marketing materials.
When must a marketing sales event be reported?
Report all marketing/sales events (including additional events reported throughout the month) prior to advertising the event or 10 calendar days prior to the event's scheduled date, whichever is earlier.
Which activities are permitted at an educational Medicare event?
You may do the following at the conclusion of your educational event: Distribute business cards and contact information so beneficiaries can contact you at a later date. Complete and collect Scope of Appointment (SOA) forms. Set up marketing appointments.
Which of the following elements does not need to be entered on the new event request form when reporting a new event UHC?
Which of the following elements does not need to be entered on the NEW Event Request Form when reporting a new event? The event venue manager/contact person. Which of the following statements regarding UnitedHealthcare's event cancellation reporting rules is true?
What is considered unsolicited contact for Medicare?
Unsolicited Contact: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) states that agents cannot make direct unsolicited contact. This is anyone who has NOT given explicit permission to contact.
What are the activities that are prohibited during sales events?
The following activities are prohibited during sales events and appointments. Conducting health screenings and similar activities that give the impression of “cherry-picking”. Even requiring an email, phone number, or address before an individual can RSVP for an event online or through mail is prohibited.
What is sales event?
An activity will be considered a sales event or appointment if it is designed to persuade potential enrollees to choose a specific plan (or set of plans), according to CMS. The inclusion of plan-specific information, sales techniques, and the collection of applications differentiate these events from educational events.
What information is used to notify winners of a raffle?
Use personal contact information collected during the event, which the broker has indicated will be used to notify winners of a raffle or similar activity, for any other purpose. If brokers include sign-in sheets at their events, it must be clearly indicated that providing any contact information is completely optional.
Who is responsible for submitting sales scripts to CMS?
Before brokers conduct sales events or appointments, they must submit all sales scripts and presentations to the insurance company they represent. The insurance company is then responsible for submitting those sales and marketing items to CMS for approval.
What can a broker do during an appointment?
Brokers are allowed to do the following during a sales event or appointment. Educate potential enrollees. Discuss plan-specific information. Collect plan applications.
What is the purpose of a Medicare sales event?
The purpose of a Medicare sales or marketing event is to get potential enrollees interested in a particular plan or a limited number of plans. To help solicit enrollments, CMS allows you to discuss plan-specific information (such as premiums, copays, etc.) and distribute and/or collect enrollment applications.
Why do you need to communicate in Medicare sales?
Because such activities are the nature of a Medicare sales event, you must communicate this in any marketing material you create (such as ads and invitations) to promote the upcoming event.
How to advertise a sales event?
Compliantly advertising your sales event is half of the journey. To make it all the way, here are the activities you shouldn’t do during events for existing clients and prospective enrollees: 1 Don’t give attendees the impression that providing any contact information is necessary. You must clearly state on the event sign-in sheet that providing any personal contact information is optional. 2 Don’t use personal contact information provided by raffle participants for any other purpose besides to notify them of any winnings. 3 Don’t conduct health screenings or other similar activities that could give the impression of “cherry picking.”
What are Medicare marketing guidelines?
The Medicare Marketing Guidelines provide guidance on the do’s and dont’s of providing food and drinks at Medicare events. Before you call a caterer, you will want to ensure you are adhering to the Medicare Marketing Guidelines (MMG) for providing food and refreshments at Medicare events. You do not have to flip through ...
Can you provide food at a Medicare event?
You can provide food at your Medicare Marketing and Sales Event, however, you are only allowed to provide “refreshments and light snacks.”. You are not allowed to provide (or pay for) meals. You will have to use your best judgment on the food you provide.
What are the two types of marketing events under Medicare?
There are two main types of Marketing/Sales events under Medicare regulations – Formal and Informal . 1- Formal marketing/sales events are typically structured in an audience/presenter style with a salesperson or plan representative formally providing specific plan sponsor information via a presentation on the products being offered.
Can educational events be advertised as sales?
Educational events ARE NOT marketing/sales events and can only be advertised as educational.
Is an educational event a sales event?
Educational events may not include any sales activities such as the distribution of marketing materials or the distribution or collection of plan applications. Educational events must be explicitly advertised as “educational,” otherwise they will be considered by CMS as sales/marketing events.
What is a CMS event?
To meet CMS’ definition, the event must be designed to inform beneficiaries about Medicare Advantage, Part D Prescription Drug Coverage, or another Medicare program. The event cannot include any marketing. For example, a broker cannot advise, or try to advise, potential beneficiaries toward a specific plan or a set number of plans.
Can I provide food at a Medicare event?
Can I Provide Food at My Medicare Marketing and Sales Events? Yes, but it depends on the food. Brokers are allowed to provide “refreshments and light snacks” at marketing and sales events. However, brokers are not allowed to provide (or pay for) meals.
What are the Medicare marketing guidelines?
The Marketing guidelines reflect CMS' interpretation of the marketing requirements and related provisions of the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit rules (Chapter 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 422 and 423).
Can Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans use one document?
The guidelines allow organizations offering both Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans the ability to reference one document when developing marketing materials.
When will CMS update the MCMG?
Note: CMS has released updates to the 2019 MCMG in the form of a memo in August 2019. Many of the guidelines from the 2019 MCMG, including the ones we just mentioned, as well as the updates from the 2020 MCMG memo, are still relevant for 2021.
What is the primary focus of a presentation?
Giving Your Presentation. Remember, during educational events, your primary focus is to educate attendees. It is not to lead or attempt to lead attendees toward a specific plan or set of plans. Follow the guidelines below to help ensure your compliance.
Can Medicare send secret shoppers?
Keep in mind, carriers may send secret shoppers to your educational events. If you violate CMS’ Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines, you could be subject to: Medicare beneficiaries need your expertise, and you need their trust and business.
Can you market Medicare plans?
During them, you cannot market specific plans. If marketing is your goal, you must hold and follow CMS’ guidelines for a Medicare sales event. As for the when and where, educational events may be held in a public venue. Under no circumstance should you hold them in in-home or one-on-one settings.
Can you hold a virtual Medicare event?
The answer will depend on health of your state and counties, the lockdown or restrictions of states and counties, and if your carriers are even allowing in-person member events at this time. In some cases, you may be able to hold a compliant virtual Medicare educational event, but again, check with your carriers first.
What is Medicare educational event?
Medicare educational events are an excellent way to gain the trust, and referral information, of enrollees in attendance. But before you host, present at, or attend an educational event for enrollees, there are some CMS guidelines (Medicare Communication & Marketing Guidelines, Section 50.1) you will have to follow.
Does CMS require educational events?
If you are hosting or reaching out to enrollees for an educational event, CMS requires you to explicitly market the event as “educational.”. Remember that an educational event does not include any of the following sales activities: Distributing marketing materials and any material with plan-specific information (such as plan-specific premiums, ...