AHIP says educational seminars are subject to the $15 meal requirement, but I've seen Medicare advertisements with meals exceeding that. Has something changed recently? I really don't care what other agents do, but I don't want to be the only one in town limiting meals to $15 if everyone else is offering full course meals greatly exceeding that.
Educational Seminars with Meals
- Thread starter Limozine
- Start date
I never attended to confirm, but I've had clients tell me that they have attended those "educational medicare seminars" that serve steak and potatoes. Everyone one of them tell me mid way through they pivot to annuities
I ran monthly T65 educational dinner workshops from Jan 2022 - Sep 2023, Medicare only. In my location, coming in under $15/head was impossible. Closer to $25/attendee for a salad/pasta/dessert meal at a nice Italian restaurant that had a suitable room for me.
Regardless of what is shown in AHIP, educational seminars are not reported to any carrier so who is supposed to know what you're spending?
Regardless of what is shown in AHIP, educational seminars are not reported to any carrier so who is supposed to know what you're spending?
- Thread starter
- #4
I intend to advertise, so I'm (slightly) concerned that a secret shopper might pick up on it.
I mailed thousands of postcards for every workshop I ran. I am certain that I had a couple of secret shoppers enjoy a meal on at least two occasions (that I know of). Big deal. My presentations were bang-on helpful for everyone that attended and I never once felt the need to worry about some mouse trying to bust me for spending my own damn money and helping folks.
Medicare bro
Guru
- 254
Bang-on? Hahahahah
Special Agent
Guru
- 641
I can promise you if were offering a meal and there was indeed a secret shopper in attendance it would have been reported.Back in the day i use to do 3-4 seminars a week in the AEP and there was a secret shopper in attendance prolly in 85% of the them and it was usually very easy to pick them out in the crowd.Once a secret shopper forgot to take her notes with her when she left so i got to see the checklist they use.One of the questions asked about what type of food and beverage was served.
The secret shoppers are very motivated to find something wrong because if they never do their boss will think they are not actually attending the meetings or at least not paying very good attention.
And out of all of those secret shoppers, how many hung around until you settled the tab?
Without proof it's all jibber jabber.
Special Agent
Guru
- 641
they don't but since i usually did these seminars at golden corrals if they were being treated to the buffett it would have been obvious it wasn't compliant.They were on the look out for being offered more than a soft drink and light snacks and they took their mission serious .back in the day when we could pay for a full buffet i got dinged by a secret shopper because she misunderstood what i said and this lady was being all friendly and chatty while stuffing her pie hole with free food and she still harshed me. Secret shoppers are not your friend.
- 7,111
While reading this, I could not help thinking on comments Stan the Annuity Man has made about his mother and "free meal seminars".
It could be that "free meal seminars" are not your friend.
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