What is a Medicare informal sales event? 2- Informal marketing/sales events consist of a less structured presentation to an audience and typically utilize a table or kiosk manned by a plan sponsor salesperson. They can discuss the attributes of the plan’s products when approached by an individual.
Full Answer
What is an educational event for Medicare?
An educational event is an event designed to inform Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug or other Medicare programs and does not include marketing/selling. Conducting any type of sales activities such as distributing marketing materials or distributing/collecting applications is strictly prohibited.
Should you advertise for Medicare sales events?
Holding a Medicare sales event is a great way to educate current and potential enrollees about plan options that could meet their needs while soliciting enrollments for the plans you represent. But there are rules to consider when advertising for Medicare sales events.
What types of Medicare events can I 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.
What is an informal sales event?
Informal Sales Event: In this type of sales event an agent would offer plan specific information only by request while at a table, booth, kiosk, or RV.
What are Medicare informal 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.
Which activities are permitted at an educational event Medicare?
You can do the following: Hand out educational material on Medicare programs such as MA, MAPD, PDP and other programs. Give away promotional items – They may included names, logo's and phone numbers. Provide meals, light snacks and refreshments. Use business reply cards (BRC's)
Can you provide food at a Medicare educational event?
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.
What are informal sales events?
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.
What can you do at an educational event?
Let's start with what you should do at an educational event:Answer questions from those attending the event.Give out your business card and contact information.Provide refreshments and snacks that qualify as nominal gifts according to CMS.Hand out objective materials on Medicare programs.More items...•
During which type of educational event are agents allowed to discuss plan specific information?
The agent can set up a sales/marketing appointment with a member, and pass out business cards. It is okay to complete SOA forms and collect them at an educational event. At a sales event, marketing activities and lead generation can take place, including discussing plan-specific information and collecting applications.
Do agents have to report educational events to United Healthcare?
According to CMS regulations and UnitedHealthcare policy, agents are prohibited from conducting a marketing/sales event immediately following an educational event. There must be at least one hour separating the conclusion of an educational events and the beginning of a marketing/sales event.
What is the purpose of the statement of understanding?
What is the purpose of the Statement of Understanding? It ensures that when consumers sign the Medicare Advantage and/or Part D Enrollment Application, they are acknowledging their understanding that they are actually enrolling, in which plan they are enrolling, and standard disclosures.
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 elements does not need to be entered on the new event request form when reporting a new event UHC?
Which of the following elements does not need to be entered on the NEW Event Request Form when reporting a new event? The event venue manager/contact person. Which of the following statements regarding UnitedHealthcare's event cancellation reporting rules is true?
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 an allowable form of contact for prospecting for Medicare Advantage clients?
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
How long do you have to stay at a venue after the start time?
You or your rep must remain their until at least 30 min. after the original start time.
When do you have to fill out a registration form?
In most cases they will require you to fill out a form detailing your event. You will normally be required to submit the registration the month prior to the event, so make sure you understand the timeline of the requirements before setting an event date.
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.
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.
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 to do while conducting an event?
While conducting your event, be sure that you aren’t reading word-for-word from the presentation. It’s important to engage your audience and let them know that you are applying to be their agent. Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression!
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.
During Educational Events on Medicare Choices
Here are some examples of phrases that you can’t say throughout educational events…
During Sales Events for Medicare Plans
Here are some examples of phrases you can’t say throughout sales events…
During Both Types of Events
Finally, here are some examples of phrases you can’t say throughout both educational and sales events…
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 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 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.
Why do we put on events for Medicare Advantage?
Events put on to educate the public about Medicare Advantage and Part D can be a great way to establish your presence in the community. Marketing events are different than educational events because they allow you to steer members to a specific plan by providing information about plan benefits, plan cost sharing and a plan’s provider network.
What are the two types of events?
There are two types of events — sales/marketing events and educational events. CMS treats each event differently, and the type of event you are having determines how you advertise the event and what you can do marketing-wise at the event. The main difference between sales and educational events is that no sales or marketing activities can take ...
What is the difference between a sales event and an educational event?
The main difference between sales and educational events is that no sales or marketing activities can take place at an educational event. An educational event is an event designed to inform Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug or other Medicare programs and does not include marketing/selling.
Can an agent require an attendee to provide contact information?
An agent cannot require an attendee to provide contact information as a requirement in order to attend a sales event. When the event is marketed as educational, ensure all guidelines for educational events are followed. When conducting a sales event, adhere to the guidelines for marketing/sales events and appointments.
Can you complete SOA forms?
It is okay to complete SOA forms and collect them at an educational event. At a sales event, marketing activities and lead generation can take place, including discussing plan-specific information and collecting applications. As a rule of thumb, any time you want to partake in marketing activities, structure your event as a sales event.
