Aren't those Medicare seminars just sales pitches in disguise?

Question

Timothy Brown · Accepted Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/medicare-seminars-disguised-sales-pitches#timothy-brown-17110

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

To some degree. How do you make your living? I don’t apologize for teaching people what they don’t know and at the same time letting them get to know me. If a relationship can come out of it, great. Having said that, there are two types of seminars and rules must be followed. Educational ones are about teaching. No promoting any one company or those type materials. The other type you can be product specific. I have about 30 companies and although I’ve been doing this for 37 years, I haven’t choose not to do seminars. I teach when I’m with an individual client.

Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown on June 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, AL, CO & 10 other states

Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Church · Answer

There are two types of events: educational and sales & marketing. It's essential to understand the type of event you're attending and what you hope to gain from it. If you have time to research, take the opportunity to review your options and work with a Medicare agent you trust to ensure you're getting accurate information.

Answered by Gary Church on May 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ca, AZ, NV & TX

Answered by Gary Church Medicare Insurance Agent

Misty Bolt · Answer

SOME COULD BE. AS FOR US WE ARE HERE TO EDUCATE YOU RATHER YOU PICK A PLAN OR NOT. IF YOU ARE NOT WORKING YOU HAVE TO PICK A PLAN OR YOU COULD BE PENALIZED.

David Bell · Answer

Mostly, yes they are. They benefit you as you can meet the agent, ask questions and gather information. They are not supposed to have a sales pitch attached, or even any obligation for follow up contact. However, as polite human beings, many feel obligated to follow through and set up a meeting. To be fair, most presenters are salespeople, and we can't help but sell. 

As an agent with 30 years behind me, I always have preferred one on one meetings. I have always felt they are far more personal and efficient for the customer. Skip the seminar and go see an agent.

Shane Bullock · Answer

Agents who choose to help people with Medicare have many rules we have to follow. One of these, is that we can conduct one of two different kinds of events at a time: educational or marketing.

If a seminar is about a generic topic like Medicare, it is likely an educational event. The advertisements for these events should specifically include the word "educational". We are prohibited from selling anything during these events, so there will not be any sales pitches. We offer educational events to help the community better understand Medicare-related topics and reach people who don't currently work with a trusted agent.

Marketing events are events about a specific kind of product (e.g. a specific Medicare Advantage plan). Since we are breaking down plan details, this is considered selling even if it feels educational. These events are highly regulated, and we must register each of them with the insurance companies we're representing. We can even be "secret shopped" by the government to make sure we're following the rules. If you've ever seen an agent in a grocery store around a table with insurance company branding, you've seen one kind of marketing event. Remember, we're just there to help you and you will never be obligated to enroll in a plan because you attend a marketing event. You are in control of what the agent does at every step of the process.

I personally love conducting educational events because they're purely academic. It's our chance to show off and use the knowledge we've gained through the many hours we spend learning - so you don't have to! It's also your chance to ask questions and explore the topic in a neutral environment free of sales.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

I “hear” what you are saying but allow me to disagree. I run into so many people who are just not properly prepared to decide on their plan choices (including from this website, too!) that I will concede about sales presentations. Though I thoroughly feel that I’d rather a newbie to Medicare fully understand how this quirky system works than to deny a company a chance at educating eligible folks a few months in advance. Instead of going to a sponsored meeting hosted by a specific organization, look for the popular educational programs where not one group is mentioned! I also think that each “sales pitch” avoids some of the nitty-gritty aspects that Medicare exhibits. Why denigrate the system? Wouldn’t you prefer that you and your neighbors have the opportunity to debate one another through a more formal unbiased knowledge rather than via suppositions? I’m sorry to say that you are looking at this in the wrong way.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

James Stang · Answer

There are different types of events a Medicare agent can run. .What you are talking about is probably a formal sales event, where an agent/broker can discuss plan specific information. I frequently offer Medicare Made Clear educational events to people interested in the nuts and bolts of Medicare coverage. By law, we are not allowed to discuss plan-specific information at an educational meeting.

Answered by James Stang on June 20, 2025

Agent Licensed in OH

Answered by James Stang Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

Yes, sales people are going to try to provide education and then follow up with potential sales opportunity. 
That's just business 
But they are very restricted in terms of what they can do. So they can't hand out a bunch of freebies that cost more than $15. I think it is. They can only call you if you've signed up to be called, etc. There many laws protecting consumers about this but seminars or just go online and watch YouTube videos to learn about Medicare or call me. I can answer your questions

Steve Brauer · Answer

If they're done right, they can be both informative and also gives the broker a chance to show the audience that they would be the right choice for people to work with. "Its all in the delivery" as they say, so choose your broker wisely.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Deborah Webster · Answer

Medicare seminars are designed to educate people turning 65 about how Medicare works. Compliance does not allow agents to talk about any specific carriers or any benefits at those seminars. So no these are not " sales pitches".

Answered by Deborah Webster on April 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ia & SC

Answered by Deborah Webster Medicare Insurance Agent

Jaye Maxx Alexander II · Answer

The rules are very clear and precise regarding the rules for Medicare seminars. The law and rules set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and all the insurance carriers are to be adhered to, so that they must be for educational, informational purposes only.

Answered by Jaye Maxx Alexander II on May 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC, AK, AL & 47 other states

Answered by Jaye Maxx Alexander II Medicare Insurance Agent

Sonya Chandler · Answer

Medicare seminars are a good way to get your questions answered. There is no obligation to enroll in a plan at the seminar nor do you have to give anyone your contact information. The choice is always up to you.

Answered by Sonya Chandler on May 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, AZ, FL & 5 other states

Answered by Sonya Chandler Medicare Insurance Agent

Alexander Lehn · Answer

Most Medicare seminars are not sales pitches because they are governed by the Center For Medicare Services. Most seminars are meant to be educational events to teach people how Medicare works and about the different options that Seniors have. These seminars can be listed as "Sales Events" with CMS which allows agents to do enrollments at the event, but most people are not ready or able to even sign up then and there. They are a tool for agents to build relationships in the community.

The benefit for the agent or broker putting on the event is that they often build trust with folks in the room and many may go to the agent/broker for help with their Medicare needs. At these events you are not required to sign in or provide any information if you choose not too. There can be no "high pressure" sales tactics used to force you to work with the agent/broker putting on the seminar.

Albert Smith · Answer

In my opinion, they are supposed to be informative. Most agents are there to help you understand the complexity of Medicare and to guide you to the plan the provides for your needs.

Kerwyn Jones · Answer

No! They are educational in nature. It's your choice to follow-up and set an appointment for further assistance

Dan Green · Answer

Seminars are a chance for an agent to spotlight what they do well. You don't need to attend a seminar to get the same information if you are speaking with a seasoned agent who put YOU first.
I would have my radar up. Like all industries,there are good and bad . Choose wisely and carefully.

Karen Leyva · Answer

It depends on whether it's worded as an Educational presentation. If there is a health insurance companies name listed, then they may want to talk to you about insurance plans afterwards.