Can I provide food at my Medicare marketing and sales events?
Jun 14, 2017 · First, the event must meet the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) strict definition of an educational 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.
Can I host a Medicare educational event for enrollees?
Jun 26, 2017 · 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. It is your responsibility to ensure everything provided cannot be considered a meal.
What makes a Medicare Advantage event an educational event?
Mar 01, 2018 · Getting ready to host a sales event or simply schedule your next sales appointment? Before you send out your invitations and print those sign-in sheets, you’ll want to make sure you’re following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines dictated in the Medicare Marketing Guidelines (Sections 70.8 and 70.9).The guidelines differ …
How much can I gift a Medicare enrollee?
Medicare Marketing Guidelines . For Medicare Advantage Plans. 1, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans, Prescription Drug Plans, Employer/Union-Sponsored Group Health Plans, Medicare -Medicaid Plans, and Section 1876 Cost Plans. Table of Contents (Issued: 06/10/2016)
Can food be provided at an educational event Medicare?
What About Educational Events? Educational events are the exception to the “meals” part of the rule above. You can still provide food and snacks at educational events, but you are also allowed to provide meals.Jun 14, 2017
What is CMS marketing rule?
The Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG) is a set of rules that insurance companies selling plans must follow. This FAQ walks through both permitted and prohibited communication and marketing rules for Medicare plans.
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. While some agents sell all three, others prefer to specialize in only one – either Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement.Mar 10, 2017
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.
Which of the following 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.Mar 1, 2018
Can you market Medicare through email?
Due to a change reflected in the 2019 MCMG and now in the Medicare Advantage & Part D Communication Requirements, agents are permitted to make unsolicited direct contact with potential enrollees via email. However, the email must have an opt-out option in order to remain compliant.
Is selling Medicare lucrative?
Is Selling Medicare Lucrative? In short, yes. The average Medicare Advantage policy pays around $287 a year in commission if the purchase replaces an existing plan. However, you can get approximately double that — $573— if you write up a new Medicare Advantage plan for someone who hasn't had one before.Feb 22, 2022
What must all Medicare Advantage sponsors have in place in order to meet CMS compliance guidelines?
Medicare Advantage Plans Must Follow CMS Guidelines In the United States, according to federal law, Part C providers must provide their beneficiaries with all services and supplies that Original Medicare Parts A and B cover. They must also provide any additional benefits proclaimed in their Part C policy.
What can plan sponsors market to current Medicare Advantage plan members?
CMS uses the term “plan sponsor” to describe an organization that has an approved, active contract with the federal government to offer Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans, and 1876 cost plans. A plan sponsor can be an employer, a union, or a health insurance carrier.Oct 19, 2017
What is a Medicare informal 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.
Which is an example of product bundling?
Product bundling is the term for several individual goods or services sold together as a combined package at a lower price than if they were sold individually. Common examples of product bundles are value meals at restaurants, beach kits, or shampoo and conditioner sets.Jan 19, 2021
What are some examples of bundle pricing?
What are price bundling examples? When price bundling, companies will sell two products together at a lower price than the sum of the individual price of each product. Common bundle pricing examples are cable TV and mobile plans and fast food restaurant value meal combos.Feb 13, 2020
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 two types of sales events?
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.
What is sales event?
Sales events allow agents to try to direct potential enrollees or current members toward a plan or set of plans. Many marketing and lead-generating activities are allowed, but there are rules regarding the information you can collect. See what you can and cannot do at sales events below.
What is the responsibility of a carrier for a sales event?
Exact reporting deadlines and requirements vary from carrier to carrier, but carriers are responsible for maintaining accurate records of all their agents’ educational events and informal and formal sales events. The earlier you submit your events to carriers, the sooner you’ll be able to start advertising them.
How to promote a gathering?
You can promote your gathering online, via direct mailers and flyers, or through other forms of media. However, if you cancel the event at least two days in advance, it’s a good practice to notify potential attendees via the same advertising channels you used to promote the event.
How to distribute giveaways?
Distribute giveaways with your contact information on it 1. Use absolute or qualified superlatives. Give away promotional items that include plan name, logo, toll-free number, and/or carrier website 2. Use contact information provided by attendees for raffles or drawings for any other purpose.
What happens if you don't register an event with a carrier?
Furthermore, if you fail to register an event with a carrier, you could lose out on sales commission and have your contract revoked.
Do you have to disclose the products you plan on reviewing?
Additionally, you must include the following disclaimer on all advertisements and invitations for your event: “For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call <insert phone and TTY number>.”.
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 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 an educational event for Medicare?
Educational events are designed to inform Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug or other Medicare programs and do not include marketing (i.e., the event sponsor does not steer, or attempt to steer, potential enrollees toward a specific plan or limited number of plans).
What is Medicare marketing guidelines?
The Medicare Marketing Guidelines (MMG) implement the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) marketing requirements and related provisions of the Medicare Advantage (MA, MA-PD ) (also referred to as Plan), Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) (also referred to as Part D Sponsor), and except where otherwise specified, Section 1876 cost plans (also referred to as Plan) rules, (i.e., Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 422, 423, and 417). These requirements also apply to Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), except as modified or clarified in state-specific marketing guidance for each state’s demonstration. State-specific guidance is considered an addendum to the MMG. State-specific marketing guidance for MMPs will be posted to http://www.cms.gov/Medicare-
What is a third party marketing organization?
Third-party marketing organizations are entities such as a Field Marketing Organization (FMO), General Agent (GA), or similar type of organization that has been retained to sell or promote a Plan’s/Part D Sponsor’s Medicare products on the Plan’s/Part D Sponsor’s behalf either directly or through sales agents or a combination of both.
What is a script in Medicare?
Informational scripts are designed to respond to beneficiary questions and requests and provide objective information about a plan or the Medicare program. Sales and enrollment scripts are intended to steer a beneficiary towards a plan or limited number of plans, or to enroll a beneficiary into a plan.
What is co-branding in Medicare?
Co-branding is defined as a relationship between two or more separate legal entities, one of which is an organization that sponsors a Medicare plan. Co-branding is when a Plan/Part D Sponsor displays the name(s) or brand(s) of the co-branding entity or entities on its marketing materials to signify a business arrangement. Co-branding arrangements allow a Plan/Part D Sponsor and its co-branding partner(s) to promote enrollment in the plan. Co-branding relationships are entered into independent of the contract that the Plan/Part D Sponsor has with CMS.
What is a non-benefit/non-health service provider?
Third parties that provide non-benefit/non-health services (“Non-benefit/non-health service providing third party entities”) are organizations or individuals that supply non-benefit related information to Medicare beneficiaries or a Plan’s/Part D Sponsor’s membership, which is paid for by the Plan/Part D Sponsor or the non-benefit/non-health service-providing third-party entity.
When do Part D sponsors receive EOB?
Part D Sponsors must ensure that enrollees who utilize their prescription drug benefits in a given month receive their Explanation of Benefits (EOB) by the end of the month following the month in which they utilized their prescription drug benefits.
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 is the fair market value of a gift for Medicare?
A gift for a current or prospective enrollee cannot exceed a fair market value of $15, according to the Medicare Marketing Guidelines, Section 40.4. For example, you could hand out one of these items as a gift, as long as they are priced at $15 or less: A branded coffee mug. A branded pen or pencil. A branded notepad.
Can you give a gift card to Medicare?
No. Gifts cannot be in the form of cash or other monetary rebates. This is true even if the worth of the cash gift is less than or equal to $15. Gift cards are a gray area for the Medicare Marketing Guidelines. While it may be easiest to avoid them, the Office of Inspector General’s website has given some advice and leeway in specific situations.
Can you give away a gift to a Medicare broker?
As a Medicare broker, you may want to conduct marketing events for current clients or potential enrollees that involve giving away gifts. Offering gifts is acceptable, but you need to be mindful of a few rules to stay compliant while creating your incentive.
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, ...