Created

Mar 19, 2025 2:19 PM

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Informational Documents

How to Host an Educational Event

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:

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.

711 for TTY-Based Telecommunications Relay Service

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.