Quiz: Can you identify if these pieces are defined as Marketing or Communications?

Check your knowledge to understand the opportunities JAR agents are given to succeed. 

To help clarify the difference between Marketing and Communications, as defined by CMS, take the quiz with examples below and test your knowledge. All included examples and their explanations come directly from CMS’s 2022 Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines.

1. A flyer reads, “Swell Health is now offering Medicare Advantage coverage in Nowhere County. Call us at 1-800-BE-SWELL for more information.”1 

Is this Marketing or Communications? Communications.

While the intent of this is to draw a beneficiary’s attention to Swell Health, the content is neutral. No persuasive content is included intended to influence the beneficiary’s decision-making, so this is not marketing.

2. A billboard reads, “Swell Health Offers $0 Premium Plans in Nowhere County.” 1

Marketing or Communications? Marketing. 

This billboard includes both the intent to draw the viewer’s attention to the plan and has content that mentions zero-dollar premiums being available, meant to persuade them to enroll in Swell Health and gain the viewer’s business.

3. A letter is sent to enrollees to remind them to get their flu shot. The body of the letter says, “Swell Health enrollees can get their flu shot for $0 copay at a network pharmacy.” 1

Marketing or Communications? Communications. 

Despite the letter mentioning cost-sharing, the intent is not to steer the reader into selecting a plan or to stay with their current plan. The content only encourages current enrollees to get their flu shot, which is not a benefit specific to the plan. The letter contains information and was provided only to current enrollees in the plan, not intended to influence a decision, and is not marketing.

4. A third-party television commercial where an actor says, “Call us to hear about plans that can provide hearing and dental benefits, zero-dollar monthly premiums, and can even lower your Medicare Part B costs.” 1

Marketing or Communications? Marketing. 

While a specific plan is not mentioned by name, the commercial’s intent is to draw the beneficiary to a Medicare plan or plans. The content promotes these plans by providing specific information about premiums, cost-sharing, and benefits offered and sold by the third party. Together, these call the viewer’s attention and influence them to make a decision regarding their plan, creating marketing content.

With all of the nuances and complexities of CMS regulations for communications and marketing, managing material compliance can take up a lot of an agent’s time. Agents who partner with JAR gain access to a nimble support team that handles CMS regulations and compliance so that they never need to worry about liability or submissions. Motivated agents willing take the next step in their career and prioritize building their business are JAR agents in the making. If you’re ready to gain flexibility and independence, contact our team today to see what you can achieve as a JAR agent. 

1. Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines. 2022:2. Available here.