Business cards are a handy way to get your name out there and an easy reference tool for your potential clients. When you sell Medicare health insurance plans, it’s critical to follow all the guidelines from CMS to avoid getting into trouble with your carriers or the government program. Here’s what you need to know:
Business Cards and Marketing
You cannot attach your personal business card to marketing pieces, but you can include your business card with marketing materials.
Business Card Text
You are a licensed insurance agent or a licensed sales agent. You are not officially a Medicare employee, nor are you affiliated with the federal government program. For this reason, you cannot present yourself as a Medicare advocate, expert, specialist, advisor, etc. Do not include “Medicare” in your title on your personal business card.
Business Card Visuals
You may be tempted to use patriotic imagery on your personal business cards, but this can create confusion. Medicare beneficiaries may infer that you are affiliated with the state or federal government if you use the colors Red, White & Blue or images of flags on your personal business cards or marketing and advertising materials.
When you work with a graphic designer, they can help you make creative decisions that align with your business vision. Keep it simple, and don’t overthink it!
What You Can Do with Business Reply Cards
Business reply cards are a direct marketing material that you can distribute to gather permission to contact potential clients. Agents can provide business reply cards at educational and sales events, mail them to potential clients, or place an electronic business reply card on their websites.
Regulations for Business Reply Cards
Your business reply card is a way to get a client’s contact information and their permission to contact you. To get that informed consent, you must include a statement saying that an agent may call them as a result of returning or submitting the business reply card.
That statement may be worded similarly to this: “By providing the information above, I grant permission for a licensed insurance agent to contact me regarding my Medicare options including Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Prescription Drug Plans.”
Do not ask for the client’s date of birth and do not request spouse information: Individuals must give their own permission to contact. You must retain these filled-out business reply cards for the remainder of the selling year plus 10 additional years.
For further compliance concerns, speak with the advisors at Magellan Healthcare. Our team can help you understand the Medicare regulations to remain compliant.
