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.
Full Answer
Can I provide food at my Medicare marketing and sales 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. It is your responsibility to ensure everything provided cannot be considered a meal.
Can brokers provide meals at 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. You will have be diligent and use your best judgement on the food you provide.
What are the guidelines for holding a Medicare sales event?
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.
What is a Medicare Advantage Marketing 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 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 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 actions are prohibited during marketing sales events?
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 an informal marketing sales event for Medicare?
Informal sales events are held in a less structured style or in a less formal environment. And, typically utilizes a table, kiosk, or a recreational vehicle (RV) staffed by a plan representative who can discuss plan products. Remember, beneficiaries must approach agents first.
How do you price bundle items?
When the bundle added to the opportunity, quote, order, or invoice includes optional products, the total price is calculated by adding the total price of the optional products to the price of the product bundle.
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.
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.
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.
Which of the following must you not do when marketing UnitedHealthcare Medicare?
As an agent, you must not do which of the following when marketing UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans to consumers? Use providers or provider groups to distribute printed information comparing benefits of different health plans without approval.
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...
Who can present at an informal marketing sales event?
Informal marketing/sales events are conducted with a less structured presentation or in a less formal environment. They typically utilize a table, kiosk or a recreational vehicle (RV) that is manned by a plan sponsor representative who can discuss the merits of the plan's products. 1.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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 two types of events that Medicare can hold?
In general there are 2 types of Medicare Events you can hold, Educational Events and Sales Events. The educational event is meant for you to share information, and answer any questions your prospects or their care-givers may have. An educational event is not intended for sales activities like distributing plan specific marketing materials ...
What is Medicare Educational Event?
A Medicare Educational Event gives agents an opportunity to get in front of prospects and their caregivers who are looking to learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D and other Medicare related programs.
How much notice do you need to give for a cancellation?
If you have to cancel an event, there are best practices you should be aware of. You should strive to give your attendees at least 48 hours notice of the cancellation. Along with the following best practices, you should follow up with your carriers as they may have specific requirements regarding event cancelation.
Can you require a prospect to fill out contact information to RSVP?
You cannot require potential prospects to fill out contact information to RSVP to your sales event. Your marketing materials must also contain the disclaimer: “For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call <phone number and TTY number>".
Can you hand out marketing materials at an educational event?
You’re not trying to steer people toward any product with an educational event. Nevertheless, you are allowed to hand out generic marketing material, business, cards, etc. You are also allowed to complete Scope of Appointment (SOA) forms for future appointments and collect them during an educational event.
Can you hold a virtual event over an in person event?
This means that many agents will be opting to hold a virtual event over an in person event. Be sure to check with your carriers to verify what your options are, and to understand any rules they may have for giving a compliant virtual event.
How long before an event can you call Medicare?
If you do have permission, you may call to remind them at least 24 hours before the event.
What is a formal event for Medicare Advantage?
A formal event often requires that a full presentation is conducted for the Medicare Advantage carrier that you’re representing . Carrier protocols apply at formal events, so be sure you’re following the rules for the carrier that you’re representing.
Can you give away a pen at Medicare Advantage?
Door prizes are not allowed at your formal Medicare Advantage events, however, giveaways are permis sible. Many agents will give away a pen or notepad. If you decide to have giveaways, you must provide them for every attendee at the event. Giveaways cannot exceed a $15 value per person.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.