CMS has re-implemented the 48-hour rule between Scope of Appointment (SOA) and agents meeting with beneficiaries. There are exceptions for walk-ins and during the end of both the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and Open Enrollment Period (OEP). According to CMS, SOAs are only valid for twelve months after a beneficiary has signed.
48 HR SOA in Spark
48 Hour Rule
A Scope of Appointment must be signed more than 48 hours before the appointment date unless:
- Your appointment is within 4 days of the end of the client's election period
- Unscheduled in-person meetings (walk-ins) initiated by the beneficiary
- Inbound calls made by beneficiaries to a sales agent (you may complete the SOA verbally on a recorded line)
A signed SOA is valid for 12 months. If you do not have a valid SOA at the time of sales appointment, you must obtain a signed SOA and wait the 48-hour waiting period to remain compliant.
Educational & Marketing Events
- You may distribute and collect SOAs and schedule appointments at both formal and informal marketing events.
- If a beneficiary wants to discuss individual plan options at a marketing event a SOA must be obtained and the 48-hour waiting period observed.
- SOAs cannot be distributed or collected at Educational Events.
- Permission to Contact forms can be distributed and collected at Educational Events.
- If a beneficiary wants to discuss individual plan options at an educational event a PTC may be obtained and an SOA must be provided after the educational event