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. It is your responsibility to ensure everything provided cannot be considered a meal.
Can I provide food at my Medicare marketing and sales event?
· The following activities are prohibited during sales events and appointments. Conducting health screenings and similar activities that give the impression of “cherry-picking”. Require enrollees to provide their contact information before they can attend a sales event.
What are the different types of marketing events under Medicare regulations?
· During them, you can’t lead or attempt to lead attendees toward a specific plan or set of plans. You can’t hand out anything that lists premiums or copays at these events. “Who wants an application?” It’s also prohibited for you to hand out other Medicare marketing materials and applications at educational events.
What are Medicare plan sponsors not allowed to do?
· 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. It is your responsibility to ensure everything provided cannot be considered a meal.
Can We deny Medicare enrollees access to items and services commonly available?
· The Guidelines are for use by Medicare Advantage Plans (MAs), Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PDs), Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) and 1876 Cost Plans. The guidelines allow organizations offering both Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans the ability to reference one document when developing marketing materials.
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).
Can meals be provided 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. If you'd like to provide meals at an educational event, here are a few additional rules you must follow.
What are the unsolicited contact rules for Medicare?
In general, you can't market through unsolicited direct contact. (Often referred to as cold calling and includes going door-to-door.) Referred beneficiaries must contact you or the plan directly. No marketing can be conducted prior to the start of the annual marketing season (October 1).
What is considered marketing material as defined by CMS guidelines?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) defines “marketing materials” more broadly than the public's general concept of advertising. Marketing materials are any materials developed and or distributed by entities covered by the Medicare Marketing Guidelines (MMG) and are targeted to Medicare beneficiaries.
Which activities are permitted at an educational Medicare event?
You may do the following at the conclusion of your educational event: Distribute business cards and contact information so beneficiaries can contact you at a later date. Complete and collect Scope of Appointment (SOA) forms. Set up marketing appointments.
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 must you not do when marketing UnitedHealthcare Medicare?
Mailing a marketing brochure to the consumer via postal mail. 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.
Which of the following is not considered unsolicited contact with a Medicare?
Which of the following is not considered unsolicited contact with a Medicare eligible consumer according to CMS regulations and UnitedHealthcare's rules, policies, and procedures? Mailing a marketing brochure to the consumer via postal mail.
What is Medicare solicitation?
People representing Medicare plans aren't allowed to: Come to your home uninvited to sell or endorse anything. Call you unless you're already a member of the plan. If you're a member, the agent who helped you join can call you. Require you to speak to a sales agent to get information about the plan.
What are the guidelines of marketing?
5 Simple Rules Of Marketing, Whatever The TechnologyRule #1: Make Yourself Known. People are only going to do business with people they trust. ... Rule #2: Taking The Competition Seriously. ... Rule #3: Relate To Your Audience. ... Rule #4: Progress At The Speed Of The Audience. ... Rule #5: Making Your Customers Happy. ... Final Thoughts.
Which of the following is considered by CMS to be a sales and marketing event?
What Does CMS Consider a Sales Event or Appointment? An activity will be considered a sales event or appointment if it is designed to persuade potential enrollees to choose a specific plan (or set of plans), according to CMS.
What are Medicare communication materials?
The purpose of these materials is to draw a beneficiary's attention to a certain plan and influence their decision. These pieces could potentially include information on the plan's benefit structure, cost sharing, and measuring or ranking standards.
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 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 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.
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.
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 is the responsibility of a carrier for a sales event?
Exact reporting deadlines and requirements vary from carrier to carrier, but carriers are responsible for maintaining accurate records of all their agents’ educational events and informal and formal sales events. The earlier you submit your events to carriers, the sooner you’ll be able to start advertising them.
Is an educational event considered a marketing event?
Note: Any event not advertised as “educational” can be viewed as a marketing event and should be registered as one.
Do you need to register sales events?
Do you need to register sales events? Exact reporting deadlines and requirements vary from carrier to carrier, but carriers are responsible for maintaining accurate records of all their agents’ educational events and informal and formal sales events. The earlier you submit your events to carriers, the sooner you’ll be able to start advertising them.
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 ...
What is the nominal gift requirement for MMG?
Any meals provided must comply with the nominal gift required listed in MMG section 70.1.1, meaning that any meal provided (whether to a group or an individual) cannot exceed a nominal value per person. (e.g., if you scheduled an event with 20 attendees, and you are planning to provide meals for each person and spend $300 on the meals in total; the value of each meal, per anticipated attendee, is a nominal $15.
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.
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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.
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.
What is an informal marketing/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. 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.
What is a restricted area in a pharmacy?
Pharmacy counter areas (If a pharmacy is in a retail store, the restricted area would be the section where individuals interact with pharmacy staff and receive medications. ) Keep in mind: These restricted areas are off limits even after normal business hours.
What is included in an I-SNP brochure?
Brochures may include eligibility requirements and benefits of an I-SNP. In addition, brochures may include a reply card or your telephone number for a resident or responsible party to request more information or a meeting.
Can you participate in marketing activities in healthcare?
Participating in any marketing activity—such as distributing and accepting enrollment applications, conducting sales presentations, and soliciting beneficiaries—is not allowed in areas where individuals receive or wait to receive healthcare service. These areas include:
Can you do marketing in a nursing home?
No. You can only conduct marketing activities in provider facilities with which a plan sponsor has an agreement for such activities. Provider facilities include hospitals, pharmacies, and long-term care residences such as nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
Can you leave materials in a restricted area?
While you can’t leave materials in restricted areas yourself—because this would be considered a marketing activity—Medicare does allow you to give materials to providers or facility staff to distribute on your behalf. So a healthcare staff member can leave materials in a restricted area, such as waiting room.
Can I provide a brochure for I-SNP?
The facility staff must distribute brochures only to residents who meet the eligibility requirements for enrollment. Brochures may include eligibility requirements and benefits of an I-SNP. In addition, brochures may include a reply card or your telephone number for a resident or responsible party to request more information or a meeting.
What happens if Medicare makes a sanction?
If Medicare makes a sanction because of a problem with a client’s plan that affects them or Medicare terminates the client’s plan’s contract, they are eligible .
What happens if a client leaves medicaid?
If a client becomes ineligible for Medicaid, left their employer or union-supplied coverage, involuntarily lose coverage worse than Medicare or other coverage and is no longer eligible , left a Medicare cost plan that provided drug coverage, or canceled coverage in a program such as Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), they are eligible.
When will Medicare extend SEP?
In 2021 specifically, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services have extended access to the SEP until August 15.
Is a client eligible for Medicare?
If a client has a chance to enroll in a new plan through their employer or union, is enrolling in in a plan as good as Medicare prescription drug coverage, or is enrolled in PACE, they are eligible.
What happens if a client moves outside of their plan?
If a client moves outside of their plan’s service area to a new address, moves to a new address inside their plan’s service area that provides more or better options , returned to the United States after living in a different country, moved into, moved out of, or lives in an institution (such as a nursing home), or were released from jail, they are eligible.
Is OEP more restrictive than AEP?
OEP, which lasts from Jan. 1 to March 31, is more restrictive than AEP due to the fact that it is considered a secondary option for beneficiaries who are unhappy with the plan they chose during AEP.
Can MCMG agents use door to door solicitation?
Additionally, the MCMG state that agents and brokers may not use door-to-door solicitation, approach potential enrollees in common areas unsolicited, or use telephonic solicitation. There are many other specific guidelines listed for agents and brokers to adhere to. For example, at sales or marketing events, refreshments and light snacks may be provided, but no item can be provided that may reasonably be considered a “meal.” However, meals may be provided at communications events.