what are the revised and new rules for marketing 2019 medicare

The Medicare Marketing Guidelines for 2019 have loosened the rules around unsolicited contact. Sections 30.6 and 40.2 allow brokers to initiate contact via email, conventional mail, and print media. This includes communication and marketing for sales and retention.

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What are the new Medicare marketing rules?

Jun 28, 2013 · 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). The Guidelines are for use by Medicare Advantage Plans (MAs), Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug ...

Are there any changes to Medicare plans for 2019?

Sep 17, 2019 · This is also known as marketing fraud. Medicare private plans are allowed to conduct certain activities. For instance, companies can market their plans through direct mail, radio, television, and print advertisements. Plans can also send emails, but they must provide an opt-out option in the email for people who do not wish to receive them.

What are the benefits of the new Medicare regulations?

Sep 05, 2018 · The Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG) interpret and provide guidance on the marketing and communication rules for Medicare Advantage (MA-only, MA- PD) plans (also referred to as “plans”), Medicare Prescription Drug plans (PDP) (also referred to

Where can I find more information about Medicare communications and marketing?

Jul 30, 2018 · CMS has renamed the guidelines the Medicare Communication and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG). The changes were released on July 20, and signal new opportunity for agents to connect with prospects in more ways and provide quality service to MA clients. Reviewing and comparing the guidelines can be a time-consuming task.

Can you market Medicare through email?

What is considered marketing material by CMS?

How do you market a Medicare Advantage Plan?

What are the unsolicited contact rules for Medicare?

Which of the following must you not do when marketing UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?

What are the guidelines of marketing?

When marketing Medicare Advantage plans What must an agent do?

Can social media be used to promote Medicare Advantage plans?

Who approves Medicare marketing materials?

What actions are prohibited during marketing sales events?

What are CMS guidelines for referrals?

What is permission to contact guidelines?

What are the Medicare marketing guidelines for 2019?

The Medicare Marketing Guidelines for 2019 have loosened the rules around unsolicited contact. Sections 30.6 and 40.2 allow brokers to initiate contact via email, conventional mail, and print media. This includes communication and marketing for sales and retention.

What is Medicare Communications and Marketing?

Section 20 of the 2019 Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines clearly defines communications and marketing, which are determined both by the intent and content of the message. “Communications means activities and use of materials to provide information to current and prospective enrollees.”.

What font do you need for ANOC?

Only “Required Materials,” such as ANOC and Summary of Benefits documents, are required to meet the Times New Roman, 12-point font rules (noted in the Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines, Section 100).

When does Rapid Disenrollment Compensation Recovery apply?

Rapid disenrollment compensation recovery does not apply when a beneficiary enrolls in a Plan/Part D Sponsor effective October 1, November 1, or December 1, and subsequently uses the Annual Election Period to make changes to their current plan for an effective date of January 1 of the following year.

What is marketing in a plan?

Marketing, on the other hand, “includes activities and use of materials that are conducted by the Plan/Part D sponsor with the intent to draw a beneficiary’s attention to a MA plan or plans and to influence a beneficiary’s decision-making process when selecting a MA plan for enrollment or deciding to stay enrolled in a plan (that is, retention-based marketing). Additionally, marketing contains information about the plan’s benefit structure, cost sharing, and measuring or ranking standards.”

Can a call from informational to sales/telephonic enrollment be changed?

Any change in the nature of a call from information al to sales/telephonic enrollment must clearly inform the beneficiary regarding the change. This must be done with the full and active concurrence of the beneficiary, ideally with a yes/no question. Telephonic enrollment must also meet the requirements in CMS Eligibility and Enrollment Guidance (Chapter 2 of the Medicare Managed Care Manual and Chapter 3 of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual).

Can a Medicare broker make an appointment at an educational event?

Section 50.1 of CMS’ Medicare Communication and Marketing Guidelines for 2019 now allow brokers to schedule future appointments during educational events. You may also hand out business cards and contact information to attendees. But brokers are still prohibited from distributing enrollment forms and any type of marketing materials at educational events.

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.

Can Medicare be sent through mail?

For instance, companies can market their plans through direct mail, radio, television, and print advertisements. Plans can also send emails, but they must provide an opt-out option in the email for people who do not wish to receive them. Agents can also visit your home if you invite them for a marketing appointment.

Can Medicare be used in their name?

Plans can use Medicare in their names as long as it follows the plan name (for example, the Acme Medicare plan) and the usage does not suggest that Medicare endorses that particular plan above other Medicare plans

What is the penalty for misusing Medicare name and marks?

In general, it authorizes the Inspector General of DHHS to impose penalties on any person who misuses the term Medicare or other names associated with DHHS in a manner which the person knows or should know gives the false impression that DHHS has approved, endorsed, or authorized it. Offenders are subject to fines of up to $5,000 per violation or in the case of a broadcast or telecast violation, $25,000.

How long does Medicare last?

An individual who is aging into Medicare eligibility, typically the seven month period consisting of three months prior to the individual’s birth month, the individual’s birth month, and three months following the individual’s birth month.

What is marketing appointment?

Marketing appointments are individual appointments designed to steer or, attempt to steer, enrollees or potential enrollees toward a plan or limited number of plans. All individual appointments between an agent and a beneficiary are considered marketing/sales appointments regardless of the content discussed.

What is a banner advertisement?

Banner advertisements are typically used in television ads, and flash information quickly across a screen for the sole purpose of enticing a prospective enrollee to contact the Plan/Part D sponsor to enroll or obtain more information . A “banner-like” advertisement is usually in some media other than television (e.g., outdoor advertising and internet banner ads). Banner advertisements are intended to be brief and to entice someone to call the Plan/Part D sponsor or to alert someone that information is forthcoming.

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 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 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 MCMG in Medicare?

The Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG) interpret and provide guidance on the marketing and communication rules for Medicare Advantage (MA-only, MA- PD) plans (also referred to as “plans”), Medicare Prescription Drug plans (PDP) (also referred to as “Part D sponsors”), and except where otherwise specified, Section 1876 cost plans (also referred to as “plans”) and employer/union-sponsored group MA or Part D plans. These plans are governed under Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 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. Such state-specific guidance for MMPs is considered an addendum to the MCMG, and will be posted to:

When did CMS change the Medicare Communication and Marketing Guidelines?

CMS has renamed the guidelines the Medicare Communication and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG). The changes were released on July 20 , and signal new opportunity for agents to connect with prospects in more ways and provide quality service to MA clients.

When is the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare?

Restoration of the Medicare Advantage (MA) Open Enrollment Period (OEP) — From January 1 through March 31 annually and allows individuals enrolled in an MA plan, including newly MA-eligible individuals, to make a one-time election to go to another MA plan or Original Medicare. Individuals using the OEP to make a change may also add ...

What is Medicare Educational Events?

Medicare Educational Events — CMS now allows agents to set up future marketing appointments, distribute business cards and contact information for beneficiaries to initiate contact, and they may include communication activities and distribution of communication materials.

What is communication and marketing?

Communication and Marketing — “Communications” is a new category of materials and activities to provide information on MA/PD Plans to current and prospective enrollees. “Marketing” is a subset of “communications” and the definition of “marketing” was updated to include only materials that are most likely to lead to a beneficiary to make an ...

Is Medicare Advantage expanding?

Medicare Advantage continues to expand its share in the senior health market. The definition of MA benefits has been expanded, and more plans are available in more areas than ever before.

Is AEP an ideal time to start Medicare Advantage?

Taken as a whole, these changes can be viewed as a significant improvement for agents serving MA clients. The upcoming AEP is an ideal time to start or expand your Medicare Advantage offering.

Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with CMS?

NOTE: All Plans/Part D sponsors are responsible for ensuring compliance with CMS’ current marketing regulations and guidance and may impose additional restrictions for subcontractors, downstream entities, and/or delegated entities, provided they do not conflict with the requirements outlined in the MCMG.

When will Medicare take effect?

Here are seven improvements to Medicare that will take effect in 2019. Some of the changes will affect all beneficiaries while others will apply just to individuals who select Medicare Advantage plans.

How long can you test drive Medicare Advantage?

Plan test drives. New regulations will let people try an Advantage plan for up to three months and, if they aren’t satisfied, they can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or choose to enroll in original Medicare.

Why won't Medicare pay for outpatient therapy?

Beneficiaries of original Medicare won’t have to pay the full cost of outpatient physical, speech or occupational therapy because Congress permanently repealed the cap that has historically limited coverage of those services.

Is Medicare getting better?

En español | Now 53 years old, Medicare has higher rates of satisfaction from its 60 million members than almost any other form of health insurance. It is about to get better. Here are seven improvements to Medicare that will take effect in 2019. Some of the changes will affect all beneficiaries while others will apply just to individuals who select Medicare Advantage plans.

Does Medicare cover meals delivered to the home?

Beginning in January, Medicare Advantage plans have the option to cover meals delivered to the home, transportation to the doctor’s office and even safety features in the home such as bathroom grab bars and wheelchair ramps. To be covered, a medical provider will have to recommend benefits such as home-safety improvements and prepared meals.

Does Medicare Advantage cover home delivery?

Lifestyle support. Beginning in January, Medicare Advantage plans have the option to cover meals delivered to the home, transportation to the doctor’s office and even safety features in the home such as bathroom grab bars and wheelchair ramps.

Does Medicare cover telehealth?

Medicare is steadily broadening the availability of telehealth programs that let patients confer with a doctor or nurse via telephone or the internet. In 2019, it will begin covering telehealth services for people with end-stage renal disease or during treatment for a stroke.

When will Medicare Part B be eliminated?

Due to a recent law that prohibits Medigap policies for newly eligible beneficiaries from covering the Medicare Part B deductible after January 1, 2020, two of the most popular Medicare Supplement policy options are being eliminated. Medigap Plan C and Plan F have millions of enrollees, so if you want to retain your coverage but change carriers, you will want to do so before 2020.

What is the intent of the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit Program?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized 2019 policy updates and changes to Medicare Advantage and the Prescription Drug Benefit Program with the intent “…to improve quality of care and provide more plan choices for MA and Part D enrollees.” There will be changes to Medigap policy offerings, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, unnecessary limits in Medicare Advantage plans, dual-eligible passive enrollment, Part D Special Enrollment Periods .