If you feel a plan or agent has violated Medicare’s marketing rules, you should save all documented proof, when available, such as an agent’s business card, the plan’s marketing materials, and your phone call records. Report the activity to 1-800-MEDICARE or your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).
Full Answer
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 counts as a Medicare marketing call?
Calls made to a Medicare beneficiary that attended a marketing/sales or educational activity or was sent a marketing item through the mail, even if the Medicare beneficiary requested the item. Calling a medicare beneficiary whose contact information was obtained through a purchased lead list or by referral.
How do I contact Medicare about a medical bill?
For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, log into your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE. If you want Medicare to be able to give your personal information to someone other than you, you need to fill out an " Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information ."
What is Medicare permission to contact?
What Is Medicare Permission To Contact? Permission to contact is a rule that exists in order to protect existing or new medicare beneficiaries from medicare agents that use unethical marketing tactics.
How do you market Medicare products?
⍟ 14 Ways to Generate Medicare Supplement LeadsBuild & Maintain a Website. ... Social Media Presence. ... Video Marketing. ... Blogging, Writing Articles. ... Email. ... Online Events: Live webinars, podcasts. ... Direct Requests / Client Referrals. ... Lead Swapping Partnerships (Asking other professionals for referrals)More items...
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.
Who approves Medicare marketing materials?
CMSWhat is considered branded marketing material for Medicare? Branded material, by MMG definition, is any marketing material that contains a carrier and/or product information (e.g., plan name, plan costs/benefit information). CMS must approve these pieces.
Can you advertise for Medicare?
Medicare private plans are allowed to conduct certain activities. For instance, companies can market their plan through direct mail, radio, television, and/or print advertisements. Agents can also visit your home if you invite them for a marketing appointment. Never feel pressured to join any plan.
How do I communicate with Medicare?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE For questions about your claims or other personal Medicare information, log into (or create) your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Can you text Medicare leads?
No. You may not use telephone calls, voicemail, or text messages to market Medicare plans to unsolicited enrollees.
What is considered marketing material by CMS?
CMS Model Marketing Materials Model marketing materials include: the standardized Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC) templates and instructions, ANOC/EOC Errata, and Provider Directory.
What are the guidelines of marketing?
5 Simple Rules Of Marketing, Whatever The TechnologyRule #1: Make Yourself Known. People are only going to do business with people they trust. ... Rule #2: Taking The Competition Seriously. ... Rule #3: Relate To Your Audience. ... Rule #4: Progress At The Speed Of The Audience. ... Rule #5: Making Your Customers Happy. ... Final Thoughts.
What are some of the unique rules for marketing and selling Medicare plans?
Medicare has rules for how plans can contact you in different situations: By mail, radio, and print advertisements: Plans are allowed to market themselves by any of these means. They cannot, in these advertisements or in any other marketing situation, suggest that they are endorsed or preferred by Medicare.
Is selling Medicare lucrative?
Selling Medicare can be very lucrative, but just like any other self-starter type of job, the more effort you put in, the bigger the payoff. When it comes to making money selling Medicare, there are two main ways you can earn income which include commissions and residual income.
How do you market Medicare on Facebook?
Use these tips to make sure you're taking advantage of Facebook in the best way to market to the Medicare-eligible community.Post the content they want. ... Post frequently. ... Promote your posts. ... Run an ad. ... Follow these compliance tips.
Can I market Medicare Advantage on social media?
Targeted Advertising: Social media is a great way to communicate to a specific audience. If you sell Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage, you can target your ad to users who are close to age 65 (or older) and live in your state (or one of the areas you sell).
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.
What is Medicare Part C and Part D?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have guidelines for marketing Medicare Part C and Part D insurance that protect beneficiaries from manipulative and deceptive sales and enrollment tactics. Plan sponsors and their representatives, including agents and brokers, must follow strict guidelines when they wish to market to beneficiaries.
Can marketing be conducted under the guise of education?
A fundamental principle is that marketing cannot be conducted under the guise of education. Report potential Medicare marketing violations and/or enrollment fraud, errors, or abuse if: You receive an unsolicited phone call from a company you have no prior relationship with.
What is Medicare call?
Calls made to a Medicare beneficiary that attended a marketing/sales or educational activity or was sent a marketing item through the mail, even if the Medicare beneficiary requested the item. Calling a medicare beneficiary whose contact information was obtained through a purchased lead list or by referral.
How long does Medicare contact last?
For Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans, permission to contact expires after 9 months. Medicare supplement product lines have a 90-day expiration date. Permission to contact MUST be established again after it expires even if ongoing contact is intended.
What is permission to contact?
Permission to contact is a rule that exists in order to protect existing or new medicare beneficiaries from medicare agents that use unethical marketing tactics. Such unethical tactics have previously made beneficiaries feel as if they were obligated to go with a specific plan all though they did not like the plan.
What does a Medicare referred beneficiary need to do?
A referred Medicare beneficiary needs to contact the agent directly. Calls based on referrals. Handing out materials or leaving materials in or under front doors or on car windows. Approaching individuals in common areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, hallways, or lobbies.
What is Medicare educational event?
Medicare Educational Events. Medicare educational events are meant to inform prospective clients about medicare and its programs. During these events, all information must be generic. Otherwise, the event will be considered a marketing or sales event.
Do you need a scope to sign a Medicare beneficiary?
Even if there is someone representing the medicare beneficiary a scope must be signed. The form is not required at educational events. If a prospective beneficiary walks into an agent’s office and requests information a form must be signed. The form is only required for sales or marketing purposes.
Can an ethical agent market to Medicare?
Leaving Medicare beneficiaries with a plan that does not cover the doctors or hospitals they love. Ethical agents need medicare beneficiaries express permission to market to them. As a great ethical agent, you must brush up on permission to contact and make sure you are compliant.
Can I Use Direct Mail or Print Advertisements to Market Medicare Plans to Potential Enrollees?
Yes. The limits on direct contact to unsolicited Medicare prospects do not include conventional mail or other print media.
Can I Market Medicare Plans Door to Door?
Only in certain situations. You can leave information, such as leaflets or fliers, at a residence only if that contact was a no-show for a prescheduled one-on-one appointment.
Can I Make Cold Call Solicitations in the Lobbies or Other Common Areas of Facilities?
No. You cannot approach unsolicited enrollees in any common areas, including parking lots, hallways, lobbies, sidewalks, etc.
Can I Call or Text Potential Enrollees?
No. You may not use telephone calls, voicemail, or text messages to market Medicare plans to unsolicited enrollees.
What If a Potential Enrollee Calls Me First?
If a potential Medicare enrollee gives you permission to contact them, your response must be limited to their specific inquiry (think: Scope of Appointment) and not treated as open-ended permission for any future contact.
Where Can I Get More Medicare Marketing Guidance?
Our resource center is available 24/7 to give you the help you need with Medicare guidelines, sales advice, and more to keep your business on track. To learn more about the Excelsior team and how we can help you, contact us.
Can a Broker Include a Contact Phone Number on Marketing Materials?
Yes. You can include your phone number, according to CMS (Medicare Marketing Guidelines, Section 30.3 ). Just make sure you mention that calling the number will direct the reader to a licensed insurance agent or broker.
Additional Rules May Apply to Medicare Marketing Materials
This information is regarding phone numbers only. Other rules or contractual obligations that further restrict agent or broker communication and activities, such as directly marketing to potential enrollees and distributing marketing materials, still apply.
What Does CMS Define as a Marketing Material?
The guidelines provide a list of items that “may fall under CMS’ definition of marketing materials.” While it is not a complete list of what could require CMS’ review, the list includes:
What About Other Types of Information on Marketing Materials?
For related information, take a look at Excelsior’s articles about including a TTY number and a plan’s name on Medicare marketing materials.
Where Can I Get More Medicare Marketing Guidance?
Our resource center is available 24/7 to give you the help you need with Medicare guidelines, sales advice, and more to keep your business on track. Learn more about how Excelsior can you double, or triple, your revenue by contacting us.
