Confused on Medicare Rules

[TBD]

A victim of "downsizing", I am starting a second career in insurance sales. I have completed the pre-licensing and passed the state exam - life & health. The plan is senior products, with primary focus on supplements.

As I wait for the license approval - Tuesday will be three weeks - I am doing lots of reading and research to get ready.

I must admit I am thoroughly confused over the do's and don't with Medicare products. My cynical interpretation of what is permitted while pursuing Medicare Advantage clients might be limited to wearing a sign around my neck saying "ask me what I do for a living". Can someone point me to a web site or reference document which details the rules?

My intent is to target supplements, but what if a potential client wants to know about MA? Do the same or similar rules apply to supplement sales? What is the logic behind all these MA rules? It's OK to cold call with supplements, but MA requires an engraved invitation?

I'm not even sure if I am allowed to reference Medicare Supplements on my business cards! Any help to sort this out is most appreciated.

 

[WCMason]

A victim of "downsizing", I am starting a second career in insurance sales. I have completed the pre-licensing and passed the state exam - life & health. The plan is senior products, with primary focus on supplements.

As I wait for the license approval - Tuesday will be three weeks - I am doing lots of reading and research to get ready.

I must admit I am thoroughly confused over the do's and don't with Medicare products. My cynical interpretation of what is permitted while pursuing Medicare Advantage clients might be limited to wearing a sign around my neck saying "ask me what I do for a living". Can someone point me to a web site or reference document which details the rules?

My intent is to target supplements, but what if a potential client wants to know about MA? Do the same or similar rules apply to supplement sales? What is the logic behind all these MA rules? It's OK to cold call with supplements, but MA requires an engraved invitation?

I'm not even sure if I am allowed to reference Medicare Supplements on my business cards! Any help to sort this out is most appreciated.

2013 Medicare Marketing Guidelines for MA and PDP


http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescri...scriptionDrugCovContra/Downloads/MMG_0511.pdf

Sent from my iPad using InsForums

 

[TBD]

Thanks!

Haven't read all 120 pages yet, but on first pass these appear fairly exclusive to MA and related. Are there similar rules for supplement policies?

 

[Dave020]

Medicare Supplements are regulated by the states, and specific marketing guidance for supplements is on a state-by-state basis.

 

[TBD]

Medicare Supplements are regulated by the states, and specific marketing guidance for supplements is on a state-by-state basis.

I'm in PA, and haven't noted anything in the state specific pre-licensing or on the PA Insurance website which restricts marketing activities beyond what is common and ethical. Any PA producers out there with more detail?

Still trying to get my arms around why CMS is so restrictive. Is it just bureaucracy in action, or are there real reasons I'm missing?

 

[Norwayguy]

I'm in PA, and haven't noted anything in the state specific pre-licensing or on the PA Insurance website which restricts marketing activities beyond what is common and ethical. Any PA producers out there with more detail?

Still trying to get my arms around why CMS is so restrictive. Is it just bureaucracy in action, or are there real reasons I'm missing?

There were abuses in the past and like a typical government reaction overreacted.