BALTIMORE - Open enrollment for Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans begins Oct. 15. The Maryland Insurance Administration reminds licensed insurance producers who advertise Medicare Advantage Plans or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans that they must comply with federal marketing guidelines. Specific rules are outlined in the federal Medicare Marketing Guidelines (Rev. 97, issued June 7, 2012, or any subsequent revision), which were issued pursuant to 42 CFR 422, 423 and 417. The following marketing techniques, among others, are prohibited:
- Door-to-door solicitation, including leaving information such as a leaflet or flyer at a residence or car;
- Approaching beneficiaries on common areas (e.g. parking lots, hallways, lobbies, sidewalks, etc.); and
- Telephonic or electronic solicitation, including leaving electronic voicemail messages or text messaging.
Failing to comply with these guidelines may subject the producer to penalties, including the revocation of his or her license and payment of penalties and restitution. For more information, contact William Donahue, Assistant Chief Enforcement Officer, at 410-468-2347 or enforcement.mia@maryland.gov.
About the Maryland Insurance Administration
The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is an independent State agency charged with regulating Maryland’s $26 billion insurance industry. For more information about the MIA, please visit www.insurance.maryland.gov or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MDInsuranceAdmin or Twitter at @MD_Insurance.
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