[OPLINLIST] OSHIIP tip regarding Insurance Agents and Medicare

[Rebecca J. Hayward]

Insurance agents may be contacting your library this fall to hold Medicare information sessions.   The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program - OSHIIP - is the state's lead agency on Medicare education and information.  It is important that libraries are aware of the marketing guidelines for Medicare health plans and prescription drug plans.  

The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid has issued marketing guidelines for all plans.  It can be viewed in its entirety at <http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/Downloads/FinalMarketingGuidelines.pdf>.

OSHIIP would like to make you aware of a few important points:
		*	      Agents cannot start marketing the plans until October 1st
		*	Agents cannot enroll anyone on site
		*	Agents cannot represent themselves as being with Medicare (no one from Medicare will EVER call a person with Medicare)
		*	Agents cannot offer any door prizes valued over $15 nor can it be cash, gift cards or gift certificates
		*	Agents must clearly identify all products

Also understand that an insurance agent cannot make house calls nor can they cold call a person on Medicare who is on the Do Not Call list.  So at these meetings the agent may have a sign in sheet or a drawing as a way to get the person's phone number and/or address.  

It's important that your library patrons understand these marketing guidelines.  A person with Medicare should never give their Medicare number to an agent and should never sign any applications or contracts without first contacting an objective third party such as OSHIIP or calling Medicare.  If you have any questions regarding Medicare or Medicare marketing practices, please contact Becky Hayward at OSHIIP at 1-800-686-1578.

Becky Hayward
OSHIIP Outreach Specialist
Ohio Department of Insurance
2100 Stella Ct
Columbus, Ohio 43215
800-686-1578
(614)719-1566 (voice)
(614)752-0740 (fax)
rebecca.hayward at ins.state.oh.us
www.ohioinsurance.gov