Formal sales events – Presenting plan specific information and benefits to an audience Informal sales events – Offering plan information by request while at a table, booth, kiosk, RV etc. Given these points, you are there to help them in selecting a new plan for enrollment or helping decide if they should stay enrolled in their current plan.
What are the different types of marketing events under Medicare regulations?
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.
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 are the different 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.
What is an informal marketing sales event for Medicare?
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.
Who can present at an informal marketing sales event?
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 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.
When must a marketing sales event be reported?
Report all marketing/sales events (including additional events reported throughout the month) prior to advertising the event or 10 calendar days prior to the event's scheduled date, whichever is earlier.
What actions are prohibited during marketing sales events for Medicare?
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).
When must a marketing sales event be reported to United Healthcare?
It needs to be reported to UnitedHealthcare prior to advertising and not less than 7 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
What is considered unsolicited contact for Medicare?
Unsolicited Contact: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) states that agents cannot make direct unsolicited contact. This is anyone who has NOT given explicit permission to contact.
Which activities are permitted at an educational Medicare 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)
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 marketing events must be reported to UnitedHealthcare?
What type of events must an agent report to UnitedHealthcare? Only the marketing/sales events, both formal and informal.
Which of the following must you not do when marketing UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?
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.
Can food 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 ...
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.
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 is Medicare marketing guidelines?
The Medicare Marketing Guidelines (MMG) implement the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) marketing requirements and related provisions of the Medicare Advantage (MA, MA-PD ) (also referred to as Plan), Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) (also referred to as Part D Sponsor), and except where otherwise specified, Section 1876 cost plans (also referred to as Plan) rules, (i.e., Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 422, 423, and 417). These requirements also apply to Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), except as modified or clarified in state-specific marketing guidance for each state’s demonstration. State-specific guidance is considered an addendum to the MMG. State-specific marketing guidance for MMPs will be posted to http://www.cms.gov/Medicare-
What is an educational event for Medicare?
Educational events are designed to inform Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug or other Medicare programs and do not include marketing (i.e., the event sponsor does not steer, or attempt to steer, potential enrollees toward a specific plan or limited number of plans).
How long does it take to review marketing materials in HPMS?
Based on the material type, and as indicated by HPMS, marketing materials submitted in HPMS for prospective review will have a review timeframe of 10 or 45 days. The marketing review time period begins on the date a material is submitted in HPMS.
What is a Part D call center?
Part D Sponsors must operate a toll-free pharmacy technical help call center or make available call support to respond to inquiries from pharmacies and providers regarding the beneficiary’s Medicare prescription drug benefit; inquiries may pertain to operational areas such as claims processing, benefit coverage, claims submission, and claims payment. This requirement can be accommodated through the use of on-call staff pharmacists or by contracting with the organization’s PBM during non-business hours as long as the individual answering the call is able to address the call at that time. The call center must operate or be available during usual business hours, which CMS interprets to mean during the entire period in which the Part D Sponsor’s network pharmacies in its plans’ service areas are open (e.g., Part D Sponsors whose pharmacy networks include twenty-four (24) hour pharmacies must operate their pharmacy technical help call centers twenty-four (24) hours a day as well).
What is a third party marketing organization?
Third-party marketing organizations are entities such as a Field Marketing Organization (FMO), General Agent (GA), or similar type of organization that has been retained to sell or promote a Plan’s/Part D Sponsor’s Medicare products on the Plan’s/Part D Sponsor’s behalf either directly or through sales agents or a combination of both.
What is a script in Medicare?
Informational scripts are designed to respond to beneficiary questions and requests and provide objective information about a plan or the Medicare program. Sales and enrollment scripts are intended to steer a beneficiary towards a plan or limited number of plans, or to enroll a beneficiary into a plan.
What is co-branding in Medicare?
Co-branding is defined as a relationship between two or more separate legal entities, one of which is an organization that sponsors a Medicare plan. Co-branding is when a Plan/Part D Sponsor displays the name(s) or brand(s) of the co-branding entity or entities on its marketing materials to signify a business arrangement. Co-branding arrangements allow a Plan/Part D Sponsor and its co-branding partner(s) to promote enrollment in the plan. Co-branding relationships are entered into independent of the contract that the Plan/Part D Sponsor has with CMS.