AHIP - 4

Hector Hernandez is an independent agent. Hector sells plans on behalf of three Medicare Advantage organizations that offer a total of 10 plans but does not represent all Medicare Advantage organizations offering plans that are available in his area. Which of the following statements best describes any steps Hector is required to take?

During the first minute of a sales call, Hector must use a disclaimer that says "I do not represent every plan available in your area. I represent 3 organizations that offer 10 plans in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all your options."

Evan Marsh is a newly appointed agent. Evan intends to conduct an educational session on Medicare at a senior citizens center near his home. He has advertised the session as an educational event. Evan asks you what is permissible at such an event. What should you say?

Evan may provide a meal as long as its value is $15 or less per attendee and he may make available business reply cards (BRCs).

Another agent working for your agency claims that because you are not employed by the Medicare Advantage plans that you represent, you are not subject to the same marketing requirements as the plans themselves. How should you respond to such a statement?

Your coworker is not correct. Marketing on behalf of a plan is considered marketing by the plan and requires that all contracted and employed agents comply with all Medicare marketing rules.

Agent Armstrong is employed by XYZ Agency, which is under contract with ABC Health Plan, a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan that offers plans in multiple states. XYZ Agency maintains a website marketing the MA plans with which it has contracts. Agent Armstrong follows up with individuals who request more information about ABC MA plans via the website and tries to persuade them to enroll in ABC plans. What statement best describes the marketing and compliance rules that apply to Agent Armstrong?

xAgent Armstrong needs to be licensed and appointed in every state in which beneficiaries to whom he markets ABC MA plans are located.

When you market Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, what may you offer as a gift to induce enrollment in a plan?

You may provide gifts or prizes to all potential enrollees during an event that does not exceed $15 in retail value.

Agent Daniel Webber has properly set up a sales appointment to meet with client Edward Young at Agent Webber's office. At the agreed upon appointment time, Mr. Young arrives with his elderly neighbor - Clara Burton, who wants to learn about her Medicare Advantage options. What should Agent Daniel Webber do?

After executing a scope of appointment (SOA) with Clara Burton, meet with Edward Young and Clara Burton to discuss their Medicare Advantage options.

Agent Lopez helps Ralph to enroll in Top Choice Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Open Enrollment Period. Ralph's effective enrollment date is January 1st. Ralph disenrolls on February 12th because he discovers that the plan does not cover services furnished by several of his longtime providers. Which of the following statements best describes the impact of Ralph's action upon Agent Lopez's compensation?

Agent Lopez's entire compensation must be recouped because Ralph disenrolled within 3 months of enrollment.

ABC is a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan sponsor. It would like to use its enrollees' information to market non-health related products such as life insurance and annuities. To do so it must obtain authorization from the enrollees. Which statement best describes the authorization process?

Authorization may be obtained by directing a beneficiary to a website to provide consent as long as the website includes a mechanism for an electronic signature that is valid under applicable law.

You have set up an appointment for an in-home sales presentation with Mrs. Fernandez, who expressed interest in the Medicare plans you represent. In preparation for the sales presentation, what must you do?

Before conducting the presentation, obtain, and document having obtained her permission to visit, along with her interest in the specific products you will present.

Alice is a marketing representative employed by a health plan. Betty is a captive agent of a health plan who markets to multiple plans and sponsors. Carl is a captive agent who markets to only one plan/sponsor. Denise is an independent agent who markets to different types of groups. Edward is an independent agent who markets only to employer and union groups. CMS marketing representative compensation rules generally apply to:

Betty and Denise, but not Alice (the employee) or Carl or Edward (to whom exceptions apply).

You are scheduled to give a sales presentation at a local senior center at which a drawing will be held for a prize. At the beginning of the presentation, which of the following must you do?

Clearly state that no obligation exists to enroll if a gift or prize is being offered.

Your client, Alexis Jones, calls you on December 4th about changing her Medicare Advantage plan during the annual election period which begins December 7th. What should you do?

Complete a scope of appointment (SOA) during the call and indicate that they will meet to discuss Medicare Advantage plans during an appointment the following day.

BestCare Health Plan has received a request from a state insurance department in connection with the investigation of several marketing representatives licensed by the state who sell Medicare Advantage plans. What action(s) should BestCare take in response?

Cooperate with the state and supply requested information.

Miguel Sanchez is a relatively new agent who has come to you for advice as to what he can do during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP). What advice should you give Miguel?

During the MA-OEP, Miguel can have one-on-one meetings with beneficiaries who have requested such meetings.

Wendy Park becomes eligible for Medicare for the first time in July. With the help of Agent James Chan, she enrolls in FeelBetter Medicare Advantage plan with an effective date of July 1st. Which statement best describes how Agent Chan may be compensated under CMS rules?

FeelBetter will pay Agent Chan initial year compensation for July through December. The renewal amounts will be paid starting in January if Ms. Park remains enrolled the following year.

You will be holding a sales event in the near future, at which you would like to offer door prizes to attendees. Under guidelines from the Medicare agency, what types of gifts or prizes would not be allowed in this situation?

Gift cards or gift certificates of $15 or less that can be readily converted to cash.

Mr. Edwards, a marketing representative of the ACME Insurance Company, scheduled a marketing event and expects about 40 people to attend. He has hired a magician for $200 to entertain attendees. Can he do this in a way that complies with guidance from the Medicare agency?

He can do this because the estimated number of attendees is based on the venue size and response rate and the value of the gift does not exceed $15.

ABC is a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan sponsor. It would like to use its enrollees' information to market non-health related products such as life insurance and annuities. Which statement best describes ABC's obligation to its enrollees regarding marketing such products?

It must obtain a HIPAA complaint authorization from an enrollee that indicates the plan or plan sponsor may use their information for marketing purposes.

Monica is an agent focused on serving seniors eligible for Medicare. As she reviews her records, she is trying to determine which of the following items are considered compensation. What do you tell her?

I, II and IV only

Linda Sanchez is conducting a previously agreed upon appointment with client, Maria Gomez about a MA-Part D plan she represents. Before an enrollment form is completed, Linda needs to provide Maria with information about , I. whether or not Maria's primary care provider is in the plan's network. II. whether Maria's current prescriptions are covered by the plan. III. the monthly premium cost(s). IV. the life insurance products that Linda also sells

I, II, and III only

Which of the following is/are most likely to be characterized as an involuntary disenrollment from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan? I. The enrollee dies. II. An individual materially misrepresents information to a PDP sponsor regarding reimbursement for third-party coverage. III. It is determined that the member is not lawfully present in the United States. IV. The member enrolls in another plan during the Annual Open Enrollment period.

I, II, and III only

Melissa Meadows is a marketing representative for Best Care which has recently introduced a Medicare Advantage plan offering comprehensive dental benefits for $15 per month. Best Care has not submitted any potential posts to CMS for approval. Melissa would like to use the power of social media to reach potential prospects. What advice would you give her?

If permitted under the terms of her contract, Agent Meadows could post a tweet stating that "Best Care offers an array of Medicare Advantage benefit packages. One might be right for you. Call me to find out more!"

Agent Harriet Walker has recently begun marketing Medicare Advantage and related products aimed at meeting the needs of senior citizens. Client Mildred Jones has expressed interest in a Medicare Advantage plan. It is now the beginning of September. If you were in Agent Walker's position, what would you do?

Inquire whether the client qualifies for a special enrollment period, and if not, solicit an enrollment application once the annual open enrollment election period begins on October 15th.

Plan sponsors may undertake the following marketing activities with current Medicare Advantage plan members?

Market non-health related items or services such as life insurance or annuities policies to current members as permitted following HIPAA Privacy Rules.

You have sought permission from a hospital to place brochures for your product in their gift shop and cafeteria. The hospital administration expresses some hesitation about allowing marketing in a health care facility. What should you tell them?

Marketing in health care facilities is an acceptable practice, as long as it takes place in common areas where patients are not receiving health care services.

Agent Martinez wishes to solicit Medicare Advantage prospects through e-mail and asks you for advice as to whether this is possible. What should you tell her?

Marketing representatives may initiate electronic contact through e-mail but an opt-out process must be provided.

Agent Marvin Millner wants to reach out to his current clients for referrals. What advice would you give to Marvin?

Marvin should consult with the health plans he represents to determine whether those plans impose requirements around beneficiary referrals.

Mr. Prentice has many clients who are Medicare beneficiaries. He should review the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Communication and Marketing Guidelines to ensure he is compliant for which type of products?

Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug (PDP) plans.

Mr. Lynn, an agent for Acme Insurance, Inc. thinks that, since state laws are preempted concerning the marketing of Medicare health plans, he doesn't have much to worry about. What might you, as his colleague, advise him concerning the type of scrutiny he will be under?

Organizations sponsoring Medicare health plans are responsible for the behavior of their contracted representatives and will be conducting monitoring activities to ensure compliance with all applicable federal law and guidance and plan policies. Furthermore, state agent licensure laws are not preempted and he must abide by their requirements.

Sal D'Angelo is new to the Medicare marketplace having previously been focused on life insurance and disability income protection products. He intends to conduct an educational seminar during the AEP at a local hotel and then invite those who attend to a subsequent marketing meeting to discuss the benefits of next year's plans. How would you advise Sal?

Sal should conduct the education seminar as an early morning meeting and the marketing meeting on the following day in the late afternoon so that there are at least 12 hours between the two meetings.

You are meeting with Mrs. Hall in her home. On her scope of appointment form, she asked to discuss Medicare Advantage plans. During the meeting, she asks to discuss a stand-alone prescription drug plan. She is leaving the next day to visit her family for a week in another state, so it is important for her to make a decision before she leaves. What must happen before that additional discussion can take place?

Since Mrs. Hall specifically asked that you discuss the stand-alone Part D plan, you may do so, as long as she signs a new scope of appointment form first, indicating that she wants to discuss the Part D plan.

Mrs. Lu is turning 65 in November and called to ask for your help deciding on a Medicare Advantage plan. She agreed to sign a scope of appointment form and meet with you on October 15. During the appointment, what are you permitted to do?

You may provide her with the required enrollment materials and take her completed enrollment application.

You have approached a hospital administrator about marketing in her facility. The administrator is uncomfortable with the suggestion. How could you address her concerns?

Tell her that Medicare guidelines allow you to conduct marketing activities in common areas of a provider's facility.

During a sales presentation, your client asks you whether the Medicare agency recommends that she sign up for your plan or stay in Original Medicare. What should you tell her?

Tell her that the Medicare agency does not endorse or recommend any plan.

During a sales presentation to Ms. Daley for a Medicare Advantage plan that has a 5-star rating in customer service and care coordination, and received an overall plan performance rating of a 4-star, which of the following would be the best statement to say to her?

The Medicare Advantage plan received a 5-star rating in customer service and care coordination with an overall performance rating of 4-stars.

You have been providing a pre-Thanksgiving meal during sales presentations in November for many years and your clients look forward to attending this annual event. When marketing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, what are you permitted to do with respect to meals?

You may provide light snacks, but a Thanksgiving style meal would be prohibited, regardless of who provides or pays for the meal.

You are mailing invitations to new Medicare beneficiaries for a marketing event. You want an idea of how many people to expect, so you would like to request RSVPs. What should you keep in mind?

You may request RSVPs, but you are not permitted to require contact information.

You are working several plans and community organizations to sponsor an educational event. When putting together advertisements for this event, what should you do?

You must ensure that the advertisements indicate it is an educational event, otherwise it will be considered a marketing event.

A Medicare beneficiary has walked into your office and requested that you sit down with her and discuss her options under the Medicare Advantage program. Before engaging in such a discussion, what should you do?

You must have her sign a scope of appointment form, indicating which products she wishes to discuss. You may then proceed with the discussion.

You would like to market a MA plan at a neighborhood pharmacy. What should you keep in mind to comply with the marketing requirements for MA plans?

You must set up your table, make marketing presentations, and accept enrollment applications only in common areas outside of where the patient waits for services from the pharmacist.

Another agent you know has engaged in misconduct that has been verified by the plan she represented. What sort of penalty might the plan impose on this individual?

The plan may withhold commission, require retraining, report the misconduct to a state department of insurance or terminate the contract.

One of your colleagues argues that it is better to focus your time and energy exclusively in neighborhoods with single-family homes. He further argues that their older owners are more likely to have higher incomes and purchase the Medicare Advantage products you represent compared to those living in apartment complexes. How should you respond?

This could be considered discriminatory activity and a prohibited practice.

Winthrop Brokerage wishes to place an advertisement in the local newspaper that says: "We offer Medicare Advantage plans offered by AB Health and Top Choice Health. Contact us if you would like to learn more." Which of the following best describes the obligation(s) of Winthrop Brokerage regarding the advertisement?

Winthrop Brokerage does not need to submit the advertisement to CMS for prior approval because it does not include information about the plans' benefits structures, cost-sharing, or information about measures or ranking standards.

By contacting plans available in your area, you have learned that the plan you represent has a significantly lower monthly premium than the others. Furthermore, you see that the plan you represent has a unique benefits package. What should you do to make sure your clients know about these pieces of information?

You may make comparisons between plans if you can support them by studies or statistical data and such comparisons are factually based.

Agent Jennings makes a presentation on Medicare advertised as an educational event. Agent Jennings distributes materials that are solely educational in nature. However, she gives a brief presentation that mentions plan-specific premiums. Is this a prohibited activity at an event that has been advertised as educational?

Yes. When an event has been advertised as "educational," discussing plan-specific premiums is impermissible.

Your friend's mother just moved to an assisted living facility and he asked if you could present a program for the residents about the MA-PD plans you market. What could you tell him?

You appreciate the opportunity and would be happy to schedule an appointment with anyone at their request.

While making an appointment to discuss Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans with a potential enrollee, you are asked to describe other types of insurance products that your client might wish to purchase. What additional types of insurance can you present during the MA and Part D marketing appointment?

You can present only health care related lines of business but must obtain the beneficiary's permission to do so before the presentation occurs and document that you have obtained that permission.

Your colleague works at a third-party marketing organization (TMO) and she said she did not need to take the Medicare training for brokers and agents or pass a test to market Medicare plans since her contract is with the TMO, not the plans that have the products she sells. What could you say to her?

You could tell her she is wrong, and that only agents selling employer/union group plans are permitted an exemption from testing, but some employer/union group plans may require testing to promote agent compliance with CMS marketing requirements.

If you are to comply with Medicare's guidance regarding educational events, which of the following would be acceptable activities?

You may distribute business cards to individuals who request information on how to contact you for further details on the plan(s) you represent.

This year you have decided to focus your efforts on marketing to employer group plans. One employer provides you with a list of their retirees and asks you to contact them to explain the characteristics of the plan they have selected. What should you do?

You may go ahead and call them.

You work for a company that has marketed Medigap products for many years. The company has added Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and you will begin marketing those plans this fall. You are planning what materials to use to easily show the differences in benefits, premiums and cost sharing for each of the products. What do you need to do with your materials before using them for marketing purposes?

You must submit your materials to the plan you represent, so CMS can review and approve the materials to ensure they are accurate.

Next week you will be participating in your first "educational event" for prospective enrollees. In order to be sure that you do not violate any of the applicable guidelines, in what activities should you plan to engage?

You should plan to ensure that the educational event is an informative event and must not conduct a sales presentation or distribute or accept enrollment forms at the event.

You plan to participate in an educational event sponsored by a large regional health care system. One of your colleagues suggests that you do a presentation on one of the Medicare Health plans you market and modify it to include information about preventive screening tests showcased at the event. How should you respond to your colleague's suggestion?

You should tell your colleague no, because participation in an educational event may not include a sales presentation.

You market many different types of insurance and ordinarily you spend time each evening calling potential clients. To comply with requirements for marketing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, what must you do about contacting potential clients to market those plans?

You will have to avoid calling any potential client unless he or she initiates contact with you and specifically asks that you give him or her a call.

You are seeking to represent an individual Medicare Advantage plan and an individual Part D plan in your state. You have completed the required training for each plan, but you did not achieve a passing score on the tests that came after the training. What can you do in this situation?

You will not be able to represent any Medicare Advantage or Part D plan until you complete the training and achieve an adequate score.However, you will not have to take a test if you exclusively market employer/union group plans and the companies do not require testing.