Bring a Free Medicare 101 Seminar to Your Group
A plain-language, no-pressure, no-cost educational session for your members or your community. These presentations are strictly educational, with no sales pitches. Ideal for unions, community centers, civic groups, senior centers, faith communities, and fraternal organizations across Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk Counties and the wider Massachusetts & Rhode Island area.
Here's the 'catch' - Upfront and honest
We know that 'free' usually has a price. We've all heard the saying, "if it's free, you're the product." We are committed to transparency, so here's the whole ask, right up front...
You provide the room and a headcount. That's it.
We don't collect names or contact information for RSVPs, ask for a member list, or require any information from your members. If you want to manage RSVPs internally for your records, you're welcome to. We just ask for a general headcount to ensure we have enough materials and handouts for the group. We are committed to an education-first philosophy.
No sales pitch is part of the session, no applications are taken at the event, and there's no sneaky sign-in sheet.
What it is...
Despite the variety of guides and booklets, Medicare still confuses people. The rules change annually (or more), states add or change some requirements, and the internet is rife with misinformation, assumptions, and agendas. Add to that the barrage of mailers sent to folks as they approach their 65th birthday by agents, insurers, and lead-generation companies alike, and it's easy to become overwhelmed and make costly mistakes.
We provide a straightforward, educational presentation that walks participants through what Medicare is, how It works, what all the letters mean, and the deadlines and requirements. We give you practical guidance so you can avoid common mistakes and have the tools and resources to make a decision that makes sense for you. All delivered by a licensed independent insurance professional who doesn't work for or represent a single carrier.
We offer both members-only and open-to-the-public options. Each has its benefits, and the choice is yours.
Members-Only
Can be offered as a complimentary, value-added benefit exclusively for your members. For unions and retiree groups, we can work with your HR or other benefits representative to discuss how your insurance/retiree plans fit within Medicare timelines.
Open to the Public
Can be offered as a community event your organization is hosting, and provides value to your service area. It's a win-win for your organization and your community.
Joining an Existing Event
Already running a health, benefits, or other fair? We can come to that, too! Whether offered as a breakout session or a staffed informational "ask an agent" table, we are happy to be a resource to your members.
Who this is for...
What you get...
Why organizations host us...
Zero Cost, Zero Burden
You provide a room and a general headcount. We handle the rest--from content to handouts and materials.
Genuine Member Benefit
Your organization gets to offer something concrete and valuable for not only those turning 65 or already on Medicare, but also their family members who may be called upon to assist and not understand what the options are themselves.
No Endorsement Risk
These are education-only events; no products are being sold, so your organization is not endorsing any particular insurance carrier, plan, or company. You also don't need to endorse us directly or indirectly--you're welcome to simply call us a 'guest' or other non-committal title.
Low Commitment
You're only scheduling one session. There's no commitment to future events, and there's no exclusivity required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this a sales pitch cleverly disguised as something educational?
Absolutely not. The presentation is entirely and strictly educational. There are no specific insurance carriers or plans sold or presented in the room. This is both our commitment and required by the rules set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Educational events are prohibited from presenting plan-specific or carrier-specific information per CMS regulations. Even if a participant wanted to enroll in a plan on the spot, we would be unable to do so and would need to collect the required permission-to-contact form and schedule a future appointment to assist.
Do we need to give you a list of our members or their contact info?
Also no. We don't collect any contact information in order to attend the presentation. You have the option of managing the RSVP process if you would like to know who registered/attended. We simply ask for an estimated headcount ahead of the event to ensure we have enough materials and handouts. If we manage the RSVP process, we use an anonymous form that just asks 'Do you plan on attending?' and 'How many guests are you bringing, excluding yourself?'.
Is there any cost to our organization?
No. These presentations are offered at no charge.
Can we open this to the public, or are the events restricted to members only?
It's up to you. There's no requirement either way. If you want to provide the presentation to your members only as a benefit or service, you're welcome to do so. If you want to open it to guests or the general public, you're welcome to do that as well. Some groups like to keep it members only, and others like to use it as a public service or community event.
Do you only offer these as seminars, or can you provide other support to our health/benefit/vendor fair?
Given the complexity of Medicare, the topic is well-suited to a full presentation; however, we are happy to support your organization in other ways. In our work with small businesses, we are available as a resource during open enrollment and other vendor or benefit fairs. We offer complimentary policy reviews and are happy to help translate coverage information or notices from insurers. While we don't sell auto & home insurance, we are well-versed in the policies and are happy to assist with coverage recommendations to take back to your agent or insurer. Feel free to reach out and let us know what you're planning, and we would be happy to find a way to assist.
What if someone has a question or doesn't want to attend?
We're always happy to be a resource. Please feel free to have them reach out, and we will be happy to answer questions one-on-one. Please note that due to CMS guidelines, we are unable to proactively reach out (i.e. please call Joe, he has questions), the consumer must initiate the contact.
How long does the presentation last, and how much space do we need to provide?
We typically book these presentations for 60 minutes. We arrive approximately 30 minutes before the presentation to set up and plan to stay for up to an hour after for individual questions, meetings, or debriefs with organizational leadership, etc. The presentation itself usually lasts 30-40 minutes, with the remaining time dedicated to Q&A. Because these are educational events, we can't answer questions about specific insurance companies or specific Medicare Advantage, Medigap/Medicare Supplement, or Prescription Drug Plans. We're happy to answer general questions about the process, timeline, and what different types of plans are designed to cover.
For space, any room that can accommodate the expected group size is fine. We can bring our own AV equipment, so we have no special requirements.
We have an existing relationship with a SHINE counselor. Why would we need you or your presentation?
SHINE is an incredible, unbiased resource. We do not intend, nor could we, replace the important work they do. SHINE counselors are available to explain Medicare, compare plans, and answer questions, but stop short of enrollment. Additionally, as volunteers, their availability can be limited, particularly during high-demand periods such as Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (October - December). We are a complement to their services, not a competitor. We are here to be a resource for those who have questions, and are able to assist those who wish to take the next step, selecting and enrolling in a plan. As a licensed independent agency, we are contracted and appointed with a variety of carriers to meet the many needs of our clients.