Which action best aligns with CMS guidelines for marketing materials before use?

• A. Submitting materials to the plan for CMS review and approval before use
• B. Submitting materials to CMS directly with no plan involvement
• C. Submitting materials after a customer complaint
• D. Submitting materials to the plan after use

Answer: (A)

Marketing materials must go through a pre-use CMS review to ensure accuracy, appropriate disclosures, and compliance with marketing standards. Submitting materials to the plan for CMS review and approval before use ensures the organization has the proper internal checks and CMS oversight before anything is distributed. This pre-approval step helps prevent statements that could mislead beneficiaries, ensures use of approved logos and required disclosures, and aligns with CMS timelines for marketing materials. Submitting directly to CMS without plan involvement bypasses internal controls, while submitting after a complaint or after use fails to protect beneficiaries or fix issues before dissemination.