What qualifies as an educational event for Medicare?
Oct 08, 2021 · Promoting Medicare Educational Events. You can advertise these events via most forms of marketing, including newspaper and radio ads, flyers, and direct mailers. However, there are a couple guidelines you must follow when marketing educational events: All educational events must be explicitly marketed as “educational” to beneficiaries.
Where can Medicare brokers host educational events?
Jan 07, 2021 · 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.
What types of Medicare events can I hold?
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. You would want to choose an educational event if you wanted to share information, build your brand, and answer any questions your prospects might have.
What is an educational event?
May 06, 2019 · There must be at least two current or potential enrollees present in order to consider an encounter as an educational event. What Is Considered an Educational Event? As a reminder, the Medicare Marketing Guidelines define an educational event as a planned event that will teach Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare products and programs. The event cannot …
Which activities are permitted at an educational event Medicare?
Medicare Educational event rules: advertising You are allowed to advertise educational events through most of the usual methods such as flyers, newspapers, radio, email and direct mail. When marketing them it needs to say meetings will be for “educational” purposes.Jan 7, 2021
How are Medicare events categorized?
Establishing Your Event 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.Oct 7, 2021
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.
Can meals be provided at a Medicare educational event?
You will also have to be mindful that refreshments and snacks cannot be grouped together or eaten as if they were a meal. 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.
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 Medicare informal event?
Informal sales events are held in a less structured style or in a less formal environment. And, typically utilizes a table, kiosk, or a recreational vehicle (RV) staffed by a plan representative who can discuss plan products. Remember, beneficiaries must approach agents first.
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
Which of the following must you not do when marketing UnitedHealthcare Medicare?
As an agent, you must not do which of the following when marketing UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans to consumers? Use providers or provider groups to distribute printed information comparing benefits of different health plans without approval.Mar 19, 2021
Can you accept enrollment forms and perform enrollment at sales and marketing events?
SALES EVENT PRACTICES At marketing/sales events, the Plan/Part D Sponsor may promote specific benefits/premiums and/or services offered by the plan. Plans/Part D Sponsors may also accept enrollment forms and perform enrollment at marketing/sales events.
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.
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.
How to advertise Medicare educational events?
You are allowed to advertise educational events through most of the usual methods such as flyers, newspapers, radio, email and direct mail. When marketing them it needs to say meetings will be for “educational” purposes.
What can you not do at a marketing event?
Hand out or take applications or other plan specific information- (This is a marketing event) Give away cash prizes. Provide or take enrollment forms.
Is Medicare a straight forward event?
Medicare educational event rules are fairly straight forward. There has not been many modifications of them from 2020 to 2021 which makes things a bit easier. We will go over the basics below and point out the key things you need to be aware of when hosting one.
Is Medicare Advantage plan specific?
This can include Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement and Part D plans. It cannot be plan specific or intended to steer or sell someone something. If you are going to be presenting any company specific plan information, you are holding a marketing event and not an educational event. Medicare Educational event rules: advertising.
Do all carriers require an educational event registration?
The short answer is “yes”. Not all carriers require educational event registration but many of the do. As a result, it would be wise to register them either through your FMO or directly with the carrier. Online Enrollment- Enroll prospects online without the need for a face to face appointment.
What is Medicare educational event?
Medicare educational events are an excellent way to gain the trust, and referral information, of enrollees in attendance. But before you host, present at, or attend an educational event for enrollees, there are some CMS guidelines (Medicare Communication & Marketing Guidelines, Section 50.1) you will have to follow.
Does CMS require educational events?
If you are hosting or reaching out to enrollees for an educational event, CMS requires you to explicitly market the event as “educational.”. Remember that an educational event does not include any of the following sales activities: Distributing marketing materials and any material with plan-specific information (such as plan-specific premiums, ...
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.
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 ...
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 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.
Can you hold a virtual event over an in person event?
This means that many agents will be opting to hold a virtual event over an in person event. Be sure to check with your carriers to verify what your options are, and to understand any rules they may have for giving a compliant virtual event.
Where Can Brokers Host Educational Events?
All educational events need to be held in a public venue. They cannot be held in someone’s home (either the broker’s or the client’s). If you run your business from an in-home office, you may need to rent a venue. Additionally, educational events cannot be in a one-on-one setting.
What Is Considered an Educational Event?
As a reminder, the Medicare Marketing Guidelines define an educational event as a planned event that will teach Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare products and programs. The event cannot include any marketing (such as an attempt to persuade a potential enrollee to enroll in a specific plan).
Learn More With Excelsior
In addition to our growing resource center, Excelsior has the support, technology, and training that brokers are looking for. Contact us to learn more about the Excelsior team and how we can help you.
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.
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 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.
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 are the two types of marketing events under Medicare?
There are two main types of Marketing/Sales events under Medicare regulations – Formal and Informal . 1- Formal marketing/sales events are typically structured in an audience/presenter style with a salesperson or plan representative formally providing specific plan sponsor information via a presentation on the products being offered.
Can educational events be advertised as sales?
Educational events ARE NOT marketing/sales events and can only be advertised as educational.
Is an educational event a sales event?
Educational events may not include any sales activities such as the distribution of marketing materials or the distribution or collection of plan applications. Educational events must be explicitly advertised as “educational,” otherwise they will be considered by CMS as sales/marketing events.
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.