You can provide food and snacks at educational events, but you are also allowed to provide meals. If you would like to provide meals at educational events, however, there are additional rules that must be followed: The event must meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) strict definition of an educational event.
Full Answer
What qualifies as an educational event for Medicare?
Oct 08, 2021 · While events are often a great way to generate leads, holding Medicare educational events during the COVID pandemic is a legal and ethical grey area. What is allowed at seminars for the 2022 AEP? Listen to this article:
What types of Medicare events can I hold?
Jan 07, 2021 · The first thing to figure out is the type of event you will be running. Educational events are intended to inform people about Medicare and Medicare programs. This can include Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement and Part D plans. It cannot be plan specific or intended to steer or sell someone something.
Are there CMS guidelines for hosting an educational event for enrollees?
May 03, 2021 · Educational Events Dos. Hand out educational material about medicare; Give away promotional items. These items may have logos and phone numbers; Provide meals, snacks, and beverages; Use business reply cards; Give out business cards, and scope of appointment forms; Schedule marketing appointments right after the meeting; Educational …
Can I provide food at my Medicare marketing and sales events?
Jun 26, 2017 · As far as educational events go, there is an exception to the rules mentioned above. You can provide food and snacks at educational events, but you are also allowed to provide meals. If you would like to provide meals at educational events, however, there are additional rules that must be followed: The event must meet Centers for Medicare and …
What materials can be displayed at a Medicare educational event?
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)Jan 7, 2021
What can be served at an educational event?
What About Educational Events? 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.Jun 14, 2017
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.
Can meals be provided at a Medicare educational 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.
Do educational events need to be reported 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 statement must appear on advertisements for educational events?
All educational events must be explicitly marketed as “educational” to beneficiaries. Educational event advertisements and invitations must also contain the following disclaimer: “For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call
What describes the purpose of educational events?
Which describes the purpose of educational events? Educational events provide objective information about the Medicare program and/or health improvement and wellness.
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 types of events must an agent report to UnitedHealthcare?
-Agents must report formal and informal marketing/sales events only to UnitedHealthcare.
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 is a scope of appointment form for Medicare?
The Scope of Appointment is a federally required form used to document an appointment between an insurance agent and a Medicare beneficiary to ensure that no other types of products are discussed outside of what the beneficiary originally requested.Apr 28, 2020
What is the definition of abuse in Medicare?
Abuse describes practices that may directly or indirectly result in unnecessary costs to the Medicare Program. Abuse includes any practice that does not provide patients with medically necessary services or meet professionally recognized standards of care.
Respond to Questions, But Avoid Plan Specifics
This is where it may become a bit difficult for a broker at an educational event. You are allowed to answer questions that enrollees ask you. Remember, your goal at this event is to educate seniors on their options rather than upsell specific plans.
Read More Medicare Marketing Guidelines From Excelsior
Visit Excelsior’s online resource center, where we’ve broken down each broker-focused MCMG rule. The topics range from where brokers can host educational events to proper activities at sales events and appointments. To learn more about the Excelsior team and how we can help you, contact us.
What Is A Sales Event Or Appointment
Sales events and appointments are defined as gatherings where a person or groups of people will be swayed towards a specific plan or plans.
What To Do Before A Sales Event Or Appointment
Before sales events or appointments, agents must get approval from CMS. They must get the event and any materials used during the event approved.
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.
What is an educational event?
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 or collecting applications. That’s what a sales event is for.
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.
What is SOA in business?
You could utilize a Scope of Appointment (SOA) to collect information compliantly, and make an appointment to discuss at a later time. In some cases, a local rep may be able to assist you at your event in some way. They may be able to help hand out materials, or even speak to your audience about a specific product.
Can you compare a carrier plan to another?
Compare one carrier’s plan to other by name without first getting written consent from all carriers involved in the comparison or without having careful studies or statistical data to back up comparisons.
Can I Provide Food at My Medicare Marketing and Sales Events?
Yes, but it depends on the food. Brokers are allowed to provide “refreshments and light snacks” at marketing and sales events.
What About Educational Events?
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. If you’d like to provide meals at an educational event, here are a few additional rules you must follow.
Interested in Getting More Medicare Marketing Guidance?
Teaching you what to serve at your Medicare events isn’t the only thing Excelsior is good for. Among our other educational material, our team of Regional Sales Directors is also on hand to help you increase your earnings. Contact us today to learn how to double or triple your income.
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.
Market The Event as ‘Educational’ to Enrollees
Respond to Questions, But Avoid Plan Specifics
- This is where it may become a bit difficult for a broker at an educational event. You are allowed to answer questions that enrollees ask you. Remember, your goal at this event is to educate seniors on their options rather than upsell specific plans. While your answers should avoid including plan specifics, it may be difficult to sidestep direct questions about benefits, premiums, or copays. If …
Set Up Future Marketing Or Sales Appointments
- You may do the following at the conclusion of your educational event: 1. Distribute business cards and contact information so beneficiaries can contact you at a later date. 2. Complete and collect Scope of Appointment (SOA) forms. 3. Set up marketing appointments.
Read More Medicare Marketing Guidelines from Excelsior
- Visit Excelsior’s online resource center, where we’ve broken down each broker-focused MCMG rule. The topics range from where brokers can host educational events to proper activities at sales events and appointments. To learn more about the Excelsior team and how we can help you, contact us. Note: For the most current information, see the CMS Medicare Marketing Guidelines.