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Mar 19, 2025 2:19 PM
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Informational Documents
Educational and Sales_Marketing Events Guide (3).pdf358.8KB
Marketing vs. Educational Events.pdf156.8KB
How to Host an Educational Event
Hosting an Educational Event.pdf2294.3KB
Hosting an Educational Event/Seminar Rules
- The Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG) differentiate between educational and marketing events.
- At educational events, the focus is on informing beneficiaries about Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug, or other Medicare programs without steering them towards a specific plan.
- Agents/presenters are not allowed to discuss any individual plan specific information such as premiums, co-pays, or plan specific benefits.
- Educational Events should be held in a public setting, such as a restaurant or public library. They should not be held in-home or one-on-one settings.
Meals at Educational Events
There is currently (2024 selling year) not a dollar limit on the meals as CMS has excluded meals at an educational event under the nominal gift rule. See page 10 of Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG): CMS MCMG
Do’s and Don’ts for Educational Events:
DO’s | DON’TS |
Provide generic business reply cards (BRC) to attendees. | Display a sign-in sheet to collect contact info. |
Give out business cards and contact information for beneficiaries to initiate contact with agent/agency
| Hand out applications/’enrollment forms or any materials or give aways that contain specific plan information |
Use handouts that are generic and educational in nature | Provide or collect SOA’s, schedule future appointments |
Give an informative and educational presentation and answer attendee questions | Hold a marketing event within 12 hours of the educational event in the same or adjacent building |
Provide snacks/refreshments/ meal | Give away cash/ monetary rebates |
Educational Events do not have to be filed with CMS.
You can advertise Educational Events through most forms of media including
- newspaper
- radio
- flyers
- direct mail
- social media
Marketing educational Event Guidelines
- All educational events must be explicitly marketed as “educational” to beneficiaries
- Ads and invitations must contain this disclaimer: “For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call <insert phone and TTY number>.”
Click this link for more information on TTY.
Agents are allowed to have other “community partners” co-sponsor and be present at the event. Examples:
- Realtors
- Financial and Investment Advisors
- Other senior focused businesses in the area.
How to File Events with Carriers
Most carriers require events to be filed at least 14 days in advance, so plan accordingly.
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Aetna
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Alignment Health
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Cigna
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Devoted
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Humana
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Molina
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UHC
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