CMS permission to contact (PTC) is a rule that protects Medicare beneficiaries

 

Before the scope of appointment (SOA) an agent must gain permission to contact.

CMS permission to contact (PTC) is a rule that protects Medicare beneficiaries from receiving unsolicited marketing calls and emails from insurance agents and brokers. Under the PTC rule, agents and brokers must obtain a beneficiary's express permission to contact them before reaching out to them directly.

There are a few different ways that agents and brokers can obtain PTC from a beneficiary:

• The beneficiary can submit a business reply card (BRC) or other form of written permission.
• The beneficiary can provide verbal permission over the phone, but the agent or broker must record the conversation and obtain the beneficiary's signature on a confirmation form.
• The beneficiary can provide permission online through a secure website.

Once an agent or broker has obtained PTC from a beneficiary, they can contact the beneficiary to discuss Medicare plans and benefits. However, the agent or broker must stay within the scope of the permission that they received. For example, if a beneficiary only gave permission to be contacted about Medicare Advantage plans, the agent or broker cannot contact them about Medicare supplement plans.

The PTC rule is important because it helps to protect Medicare beneficiaries from high-pressure sales tactics and from being misled about Medicare plans. It also gives beneficiaries control over who can contact them about Medicare.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about CMS permission to contact:

If you have any questions about CMS permission to contact, you can contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Or contact us at Lonsinsuranceplans@gmail.com or give us a call at ‪(954) 532-8711‬