A: According to Section 1140 of the Social Security Act, it’s forbidden to use the words or symbols including “Medicare,” “Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,” “Department of Health and Human Services,” or “Health & Human Services” in a way that would indicate the approval, endorsement, or authorization of Medicare or any other government agency.
Full Answer
Should Medicare agents put “medicare” on their business cards?
Additionally, agents shouldn’t use the word “Medicare” on their business card in any fashion that suggests they represent Medicare, like putting the words “expert,” or “specialist” behind it.
What do you need to know about your Medicare card?
Your Medicare card is proof that you have Medicare health insurance. Be sure to keep it in a safe place when you’re not using it. Your card lets healthcare providers know whether you have Medicare Part A (“HOSPITAL”) or Part B (“MEDICAL”) or both, and the starting date of your coverage.
What do the letters on my Medicare card mean?
What do the Medicare letters mean? The four different parts of Medicare are each identified by a letter: A, B, C and D. The number displayed on your Medicare card, however, is known as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier and is randomly generated for you.
What should I put on my Medicare card application?
(Examples of this would be to clearly identify to the Medicare member that you are a licensed insurance agent/broker, and include the recommended disclaimer: “Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.”).
Can you use Medicare in a business name?
When a plan-specific or company-specific reference is used regarding a Medicare plan, it's considered that company's marketing material. It's like forging a signature or fabricating a quote. If it wasn't approved or provided by the company, it's not OK to use it.
What are the rules of Medicare?
7 Essential Medicare Rules You Need to KnowEligibility begins at 65. ... There are penalties for signing up late. ... Higher earners pay more for Part B. ... You can have original Medicare or Medicare Advantage -- but not both. ... You can have Medicare plus private insurance. ... Medicare and health savings accounts don't mix.More items...•
What are the 3 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 must all Medicare Advantage sponsors have in place?
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 are the 4 types of Medicare?
There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information).Part D provides prescription drug coverage.
Can I get Medicare if I never worked?
You can still get Medicare if you never worked, but it will likely be more expensive. Unless you worked and paid Medicare taxes for 10 years — also measured as 40 quarters — you will have to pay a monthly premium for Part A. This may differ depending on your spouse or if you spent some time in the workforce.
Which of the following must an advertisement describing Medicare disclose?
An advertisement shall specifically identify the Medicare supplement insurance policy to which statistics relate and, where statistics are given that are applicable to a different policy, it must be stated clearly that the data does not relate to the policy being advertised.
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).
Which of the following is considered the best defense under the Medicare Integrity Program?
Which of the following is considered the best defense under the Medicare Integrity program? Having a strong compliance plan.
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage can become expensive if you're sick, due to uncovered copays. Additionally, a plan may offer only a limited network of doctors, which can interfere with a patient's choice. It's not easy to change to another plan. If you decide to switch to a Medigap policy, there often are lifetime penalties.
Who is the largest Medicare Advantage provider?
UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans and offers plans in nearly three-quarters of U.S. counties.
What is the biggest difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
With Original Medicare, you can go to any doctor or facility that accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans have fixed networks of doctors and hospitals. Your plan will have rules about whether or not you can get care outside your network. But with any plan, you'll pay more for care you get outside your network.
What Do You Need to Know About Your Medicare Card?
It acts as proof that you have Medicare health insurance, and it provides the starting date (s) of your coverage.
What does a Medicare card tell you?
Your card lets healthcare providers know whether you have Medicare Part A (“HOSPITAL”) or Part B (“MEDICAL”) or both, and the starting date of your coverage.
When Should You Carry Your Medicare Card?
It’s a good idea to carry your Medicare card with you whenever you’re away from home. You will need to show it to doctors, hospital staff and other healthcare providers whenever you are seeking care. 1
How Do You Get Your Medicare Card?
Your Medicare card is mailed to you once you have enrolled in Medicare. If you are automatically enrolled, you will receive the card about three months before your 65th birthday or after your 24th month of receiving disability benefits. If you are automatically enrolled and haven’t received your card, you can go online to request another one.
What is included in my Medicare card?
Besides your full name, your Medicare card includes your Medicare number as well as important information about the health insurance coverage to which you are entitled. This includes: 2. Medicare number —This is one of the most important pieces of information on your Medicare card. It’s what the billing department will use when it submits ...
How long does it take to get a replacement Medicare card?
According to the Health and Human Services Department, it can take about 30 days for your replacement card to arrive in the mail.
What happens if you lose your Medicare number?
If it is lost or stolen and gets into the wrong hands, you could be the victim of identity theft. Your personal information could be used fraudulently to obtain medical care or submit billing to Medicare in your name. Today, your Medicare number is no longer your SSN.
Who is tasked with remaining compliant with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services while marketing their services?
Insurance companies and agents are tasked with remaining compliant with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services while marketing their services. It makes sense on the surface, but the details may need some clarifying.
Can you put Medicare on a business card?
Additionally, agents shouldn’t use the word “Medicare” on their business card in any fashion that suggests they represent Medicare, like putting the words “expert,” or “specialist” behind it.
Can an agent sell Medicare Advantage?
A: CMS states that only agents who are licensed, certified, or registered under state law are permitted to market an insurance company’s Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans. Agents are also required to complete the insurance companies’ annual mandatory certification processes for the carriers they wish to represent. Only after an agent is trained and certified to understand the rules, regulations, and specific Medicare product details can a carrier confirm an agent’s ready-to-sell status.
What do the letters on my Medicare card mean?
What do the letters on your Medicare card mean? The Medicare number displayed on Medicare cards (known as an MBI, or Medicare Beneficiary Identifier) is 11 characters long: The 2nd, 5th, 8th and 9th characters are always a letter, and the 3rd and 6th characters are sometimes a letter. All other characters will be numbers, and the letters S, L, O, ...
What do the Medicare letters mean?
The four different parts of Medicare are each identified by a letter: A, B, C and D. The number displayed on your Medicare card, however, is known as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier and is randomly generated for you.
What is Medicare Supplement Insurance?
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, uses a letter system to identify its plans. Medicare Supplement Insurance is used in conjunction with Part A and Part B of Medicare to provide coverage for certain out-of-pocket expenses like some Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
How many Medicare Supplement Plans are there?
There are 10 Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, identified by letters: Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N. Note that Medigap coverage options are referred to as “plan” (e.g., Medigap Plan A) as opposed to “part” (Medicare Part A hospital insurance).
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B is medical insurance and provides coverage for outpatient doctor’s appointments and medical devices. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, provides coverage for everything found in Part A and Part B through one plan provided by a private insurer.
How many parts of Medicare are there?
The four different parts of Medicare are each identified by a letter.
What is the meaning of MBI?
All other characters will be numbers, and the letters S, L, O, I, B and Z will never be used. The MBI is randomly generated and is “non-intelligent,” which means it contains no hidden or special meaning and is therefore more difficult for someone to use to steal your identity or commit fraud.
Why is it important to know about Medicare fraud?
Medicare fraud results in higher health care costs for taxpayers just like you. That’s why it’s so important to know how to protect your Medicare card and Number.
Can you give your Medicare card to anyone?
The most important thing you can do is guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card. Don’t give your Medicare card or Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.
Is Medicare a scam?
Keep your Medicare Number to yourself. If you get a call from people promising you things if you give them your Medicare Number — don’t do it. This is a common Medicare scam.
Why don't you believe a Medicare caller is a Medicare employee?
Don’t believe a caller is a Medicare employee simply because he or she knows some information about you. Scammers will have done their homework.
Why did Medicare give out new cards?
En español | From April 2018 to January 2019, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent every Medicare beneficiary a new card designed to better protect against identity theft. Where the previous cards showed your Social Security number, the new cards utilize a unique, randomly assigned combination of numbers and letters called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). But the new approach hasn’t stopped criminals from targeting older Americans.
What did the scammers do during the Medicare rollout?
During the rollout, scammers impersonating Medicare employees called many beneficiaries, telling them they needed to verify personal information or pay a processing fee to get their new card. Once the rollout was complete, the fraudsters switched gears, adopting variations on the con that claim you need to replace or upgrade your Medicare card.
How to destroy old Medicare card?
Do destroy your old Medicare card, if you haven’t already. Run it through a shredder, or cut it up with scissors (making sure to mutilate the part with your Social Security number).
Can someone threaten to cancel Medicare?
Someone threatens to cancel your Medicare coverage unless you provide personal information over the phone.
Can you share your Social Security number?
Don’t share your Medicare or Social Security number (or other personal information) with anyone who contacts you out of the blue by phone, text or email or shows up unannounced at your door.
What do Medicare agents do?
Agents create and use a variety of materials to advertise that they sell Medicare products such as Medicare Advantage and Part D products. These include, but are not limited to, letters, postcards, posters, brochures, scripts, radio and television ads, billboards, banners, signs, yellow page ads, church bulletin ads, ...
How to obtain permission to contact through a business reply card?
If you are trying to obtain Permission to Contact through a business reply card, there must be a statement informing the customer: 1). who will contact them and 2). by what method. Recommended statement: “By providing your name and contact information you are consenting to receive calls, text messages and/or emails from a licensed insurance agent about Medicare Plans at the number provided, and you agree such calls and/or text messages may use an auto-dialer or robocall, even if you are on a government do-not-call registry. This agreement is not a condition of enrollment.”
What is CMS marketing?
CMS defines “communications” and “marketing” in the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines. Agents need to be aware of the differences between the two terms. All marketing materials need to be filed and approved by CMS. Agent created communications to members do not need CMS approval. Any agent created communication must follow ...
Do insurance agents need to have a business page?
Most carriers require that the agent set up a business page on social media rather than use their personal page. Agents CAN list the name and address of their business and indicate the type of products offered (e.g., Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Supplement insurance plans, etc.) offered.
Can you use your name on Medicare Advantage?
Note: Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan carriers may allow the use of their logo or name in certain circumstances such as on websites, but agents must get carrier approval first.
Can you post a business card in the newspaper?
If you post your business card displaying it like an ad in the newspaper or use it as an advertising piece then CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing guidelines do apply. The business card may be attached, with a single piece of tape or a single staple to CMS approved marketing pieces.
Do insurance agents need to print license number on business cards?
Every agent in California needs to print their license number on their business cards. The word, “insurance” needs to be affixed or printed on all business cards
How many Medicare cards were sent out in April?
In an effort to reduce identity theft and fraud, new Medicare cards were sent out beginning in April to more than 44 million Medicare enrollees.
What to do if you have caller ID and you don't recognize the number?
Experts say the best response to these ruses is to say nothing and hang up the phone. Or, if you have caller ID and you don’t recognize the number, don’ t pick up.
Does Medicare coverage change?
Your Medicare coverage and benefits won’t change.
Do you need to show your Medicare card with your new card?
If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, keep your Medicare Advantage ID card along with the new Medicare card. You may be asked to show both.
