Medicare Educational Event Guidelines – CMS Rules for 2026
As an agent, you will find that hosting an educational event is a great and inexpensive way to get out there and meet potential clients. However, it is imperative that you understand Medicare educational event guidelines before you do anything.
Define: Educational Marketing
CMS draws a firm line:
- These events must be “educational” in name and intent, not promoting a specific plan, carrier, or agent.
- Avoid mentioning brand names, plan details, incentives, or statements such as “call me to enroll.”
- Agents also must not imply in any way that they work for Medicare itself.
Must Include Event Disclaimers
Advertisements and invites must clearly state:
- “For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call [insert phone and‑TTY number].”
- “This event is for educational purposes only and no plan‑specific benefits or details will be shared.”
Content & Tone: Fact‑Based & Neutral
- Cover Medicare basics; Parts A, B, C, D, eligibility, enrollment windows, general plan types.
- Share objective tools, e.g., comparisons, eligibility calculators, and CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) resources.
- No steering: Personal recommendations or showing plan-specific premiums/benefits are prohibited.
Compliant Location & Registration
- Host events in public venues (e.g., libraries, community centers); not in private offices or health‑care settings, unless you use a common area.
- You may use a sign in sheet, however attendee use has to be optional.
- Be sure to register your event with the plan sponsor/MA organization if required (per MA/Part D compliance rules).
No Sales or Enrollment Activities
- Sales-focused tactics are forbidden; no enrollment scripts, plan comparisons, or benefit highlights.
- Do not take a SCOPE of appointment.
- It’s OK to show general enrollment periods and eligibility rules, but not to finalize or process enrollment.
Watch a YouTube video on Medicare Educational Seminar Best Practices
What agents can do
- Distribute generic materials such as business replay cards for attendees to request you contact them, but do not provide plan brochures or enrollment forms.
- Provide a light snack; keep in mind the value of the food must not exceed $15 per person.
- Offer promotional items as long as their value is $15 or less per person. Make sure they don’t include any plan information. They can however, include a carrier name, logo or toll free number.
- Provide your business cards for anyone who may want to contact you at a later date to schedule an appointment.
- Answer general questions; do not discuss specific plan details.
2026 CMS Rule Updates: What Agents Should Know
Expanded ADVERTISING Definition
For 2026, CMS is broadening what counts as “marketing.” Any general message that could sway enrollment now requires pre‑approval from CMS.
That means even “purely educational” ads could get flagged; plan carefully.
Click here to view the CMS 2026 fact sheet for the proposed final rule
Agents as Fiduciaries
Following the Senate Wyden report, there’s talk of requiring brokers to act as fiduciaries, disclose compensation, and limit lead-gen tactics. CMS may follow up, so transparency is key.
AI & Marketing Guardrails
CMS is reviewing proposals to ensure AI tools used in marketing are fair, transparent, and not deceptive. If you use chatbots or scripts, make sure they’re compliant.
CMS and IRA‑Driven Part D Changes
Though not directly event-related, these changes may impact your educational content:
- New Prescription Payment Plan (PPP) options—agents should know monthly cap letter tactics.
- Drug cost-sharing updates (insulin, vaccines)—beneficiaries now get these at $0 through Part D.
Agents stay up-to-date on the latest events and information
Best Practices for Agents
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Label all materials “Educational Only” | Protects you under CMS rules. |
| Disclaim at beginning and in invites | Stay compliant with 2026 requirements. |
| Use neutral visuals | No plan logos or comparison charts. |
| Reference CMS toolkits | CMS provides model announcements and scripts. |
| Train staff thoroughly | Ensure presenters understand non-marketing boundaries. |
| Pre-approve marketing materials | If unsure, submit to CMS for early review. |
| Document everything | Keep event logs, handouts, and disclaimers dated and saved. |
What Agents Should Do Next
- Review and update event invites to include disclaimers and explicitly label them as educational.
- Audit presentation materials to ensure neutral content; avoid any plan-specific information or persuasive language.
- Train your team on the updated 2026 rules: no endorsements or marketing disguised as education.
- Pre-submit ads if they could influence plan choice; especially media buys or mailers.
- Stay informed on regulatory changes regarding fiduciary status and AI tools.
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In 2026, CMS is cracking down on the gray line between education and marketing. Agents must commit to clear, plan-neutral, fact-based events backed by proper disclaimers, transparent content strategy, and due diligence in marketing approach. Staying well-prepared now lays the foundation for trust, authority, and compliance down the road.
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