Which of the following is permissible at a Medicare educational session?

• A. Provide a meal up to $25 per attendee and promotional items
• B. Do not offer any meals but provide information packets
• C. Provide a meal up to $15 per attendee and offer business reply cards
• D. Provide cash gifts to attendees

Answer: (C)

Medicare educational sessions are meant to inform attendees without turning the event into a sales pitch, so any meals or gifts must be modest and non-promotional. A meal that’s modest in value (up to about $15 per attendee) can be offered as part of the session, as long as the accompanying materials are informational and not promotional. Allowing business reply cards fits this approach because they’re a simple, non-promotional way to collect attendee contact information or feedback. This combination meets the guidelines by supporting the educational goal without creating undue incentive.

The other options run afoul of the rules either by offering a higher-value meal, including promotional items, or providing cash gifts, all of which are not permitted in this context.