Acceptable marketing practices

Providers are required to:

• Provide the names of AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP) sponsors with which they contract and/or participate
• Provide information and assistance in applying for the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). Make available and/or distribute marketing materials supplied by AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP).
• Refer their patients to other sources of information, such as State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), plan marketing representatives, their State Medicaid Office, local Social Security Office, CMS' website at http://www.medicare.gov/ or 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Share information with patients from CMS' website, including the "Medicare and You" Manual or "Medicare Options Compare" (from www.medicare.gov), or other documents that were written by or previously approved by CMS.

Unacceptable marketing practices

Providers must remain neutral when assisting with enrollment decisions and may NOT:

• Offer sales/appointment forms
• Accept Medicare enrollment applications
• Make phone calls or direct, urge, or attempt to persuade members to enroll in a specific plan based on financial or any other interests of the provider
• Mail marketing materials on behalf of plan sponsors
• Offer anything of value to induce plan enrollees to select them as their provider
• Offer inducements to persuade members to enroll in a particular plan or organization
• Conduct health screening as a marketing activity
• Accept compensation directly or indirectly from AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP) for member enrollment activities
• Distribute materials/applications within an exam room setting.

Providers may announce new or continuing affiliations with AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP) through general advertising, (e.g., radio, television, websites). New affiliation announcements are for those providers that have entered into a new contractual relationship with AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP).

Providers may make new affiliation announcements within the first 30 days of their new contract with AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO SNP). An announcement to patients of a new affiliation which names only AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP) may occur only once when such announcement is conveyed through direct mail, e-mail, or phone. Additional direct mail and/or email communications from providers to their patients regarding affiliations must include a list of all plans with which the provider contracts.

AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP)'s Compliance department will secure CMS approval on any provider affiliation communication materials that describe AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP) in any way, (e.g., benefits, formularies).

Materials that indicate the provider has an affiliation with AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care (HMO-SNP) and other plan sponsors and that only list plan names and/or contact information do not require CMS approval.