CMS Notification of Events?

kennethbroyles · 08-14-2009, 10:34 AM

In the past I have sent notifications of events to UNH for sales events. They notified CMS. This year how would I notify CMS directly of a "Educational Event?"

Thanks in advance.

GreenSky · 08-14-2009, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by kennethbroyles

In the past I have sent notifications of events to UNH for sales events. They notified CMS. This year how would I notify CMS directly of a "Educational Event?"

Thanks in advance.

I wonder why you would do an educational event. All you can do there is have business cards on a table. You can't have flyers, brochures or any other sales material, nor can you take names, addresss, phone numbers.

Also, I only thought that CMS notification from agents was for sales events. I might very well be wrong on this as I never considered doing an educational event. If I want to sit in a room, not say a word other than hello, and have an empty table, I may as well be in my house waiting for dinner.

Rick

kennethbroyles · 08-14-2009, 04:30 PM

70.7.1 - Educational Event Disclaimer
(Rev. 91; Issued: 08-07-09; Effective/Implementation Date: 08-07-09)
42 CFR 422.2268(l), 423.2268(l)
CMS requires that the following disclaimer be used when an educational event is organized, sponsored or promoted by a plan and/or the plan participates in educational events.
"This event is only for educational purposes and no plan specific benefits or details will be shared.”
This disclaimer is not required when a plan sponsor is invited to be a participant in an educational event sponsored, organized or promoted by an entity other than the plan sponsor.

When you do a good presentation on "Medicare2010" at a educational event they will call.. At these events I will be only speaker. Does CMS allows collecting SOA? I re-read guidelines and it is a bit confusing on this point. I think there will be a lot of interest in public educational events. So the question still remains... how do you notify CMS... do you have to? At the end can you say ..." If anyone would like to discuss specifics, I need a permission form signed by you, and arrange a time to meet."

Does CMS allow this? The event would be promoted by the group hosting the event.

What do you think ?

GreenSky · 08-14-2009, 06:31 PM

You are not allowed to do anything other than have your card available. Period.

No forms, no nothing.

Rick

AJAX · 08-14-2009, 10:31 PM

I agree with Green Sky. He expressed it short and simple.

I'll say it the long way: Agents are prohibited from making sales presentations, handing out or providing plan applications at these "educational events."

You can't give any plan details. If you do, it's considered a sales presentation/event.

So, as far as I'm concerned everything should be labeled as a sales event. It benefits you to label it that way.

You can provide educational/general info (an overview of the changes in Medicare), and then give plan details. Just label it a sales event. You don't want a secret shopper to nail you.

kennethbroyles · 08-15-2009, 05:49 AM

Thanks....

MedicarePlanSolutions · 08-18-2009, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by kennethbroyles

70.7.1 - Educational Event Disclaimer
(Rev. 91; Issued: 08-07-09; Effective/Implementation Date: 08-07-09)
42 CFR 422.2268(l), 423.2268(l)
CMS requires that the following disclaimer be used when an educational event is organized, sponsored or promoted by a plan and/or the plan participates in educational events.
"This event is only for educational purposes and no plan specific benefits or details will be shared.”
This disclaimer is not required when a plan sponsor is invited to be a participant in an educational event sponsored, organized or promoted by an entity other than the plan sponsor.

When you do a good presentation on "Medicare2010" at a educational event they will call.. At these events I will be only speaker. Does CMS allows collecting SOA? I re-read guidelines and it is a bit confusing on this point. I think there will be a lot of interest in public educational events. So the question still remains... how do you notify CMS... do you have to? At the end can you say ..." If anyone would like to discuss specifics, I need a permission form signed by you, and arrange a time to meet."

Does CMS allow this? The event would be promoted by the group hosting the event.

What do you think ?

According to the compliance officer at one of the plans I worked for the SOA form is considered a marketing material. That helps clear up some of the confusion as to when you can have it and when you can't.