§ 422.2274 Agent, broker, and other third-party requirements.

If an MA organization uses agents and brokers to sell its Medicare plans, the requirements in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section are applicable. If an MA organization makes payments to third parties, the requirements in paragraph (f) of this section are applicable.

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions are applicable:

Compensation. (i) Includes monetary or non-monetary remuneration of any kind relating to the sale or renewal of a plan or product offered by an MA organization including, but not limited to the following:

(A) Commissions.

(B) Bonuses.

(C) Gifts.

(D) Prizes or Awards.

(ii) Does not include any of the following:

(A) Payment of fees to comply with State appointment laws, training, certification, and testing costs.

(B) Reimbursement for mileage to, and from, appointments with beneficiaries.

(C) Reimbursement for actual costs associated with beneficiary sales appointments such as venue rent, snacks, and materials.

Fair market value (FMV) means, for purposes of evaluating agent or broker compensation under the requirements of this section only, the amount that CMS determines could reasonably be expected to be paid for an enrollment or continued enrollment into an MA plan. Beginning January 1, 2021, the national FMV is $539, the FMV for Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia is $607, the FMV for California and New Jersey is $672, and the FMV for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is $370. For subsequent years, FMV is calculated by adding the current year FMV and the product of the current year FMV and MA Growth Percentage for aged and disabled beneficiaries, which is published for each year in the rate announcement issued pursuant to § 422.312.

Initial enrollment year means the first year that a beneficiary is enrolled in a plan versus subsequent years (c.f., renewal year) that a beneficiary remains enrolled in a plan.

Like plan type means one of the following:

(i) PDP replaced with another PDP.

(ii) MA or MA–PD replaced with another MA or MA–PD.

(iii) Cost plan replaced with another cost plan.

Plan year and enrollment year mean the year beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

Renewal year means all years following the initial enrollment year in the same plan or in different plan that is a like plan type.

Unlike plan type means one of the following:

(i) An MA or, MA–PD plan to a PDP or Section 1876 Cost Plan.

(ii) A PDP to a Section 1876 Cost Plan or an MA or MA–PD plan.

(iii) A Section 1876 Cost Plan to an MA or MA–PD plan or PDP.

(b) Agent/broker requirements. Agents and brokers who represent MA organizations must follow the requirements in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section. Representation includes selling products (including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plans, Medicare Prescription Drug plans, and section 1876 Cost plans) as well as outreach to existing or potential beneficiaries and answering or potentially answering questions from existing or potential beneficiaries.

(1) Be licensed and appointed under State law (if required under applicable State law).