A Paper Scope of Appointment (SOA) is a physical document used to record a beneficiary’s consent to discuss specific types of Medicare plans during a meeting with an insurance agent. It ensures compliance with Medicare marketing guidelines and provides transparency for both parties. Here’s an overview:
Purpose of a Paper SOA
- Compliance: Ensures agents adhere to Medicare guidelines by only discussing plans that the beneficiary has pre-approved.
- Documentation: Serves as a record of consent, which agents must keep on file, even if the beneficiary doesn’t enroll in a plan.
- Transparency: Outlines the scope of the discussion, helping to avoid unauthorized plan comparisons or topics.
Key Features of a Paper SOA
- Plan Types: Lists the Medicare products (e.g., Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Supplement) to be discussed.
- Beneficiary Details: Includes the beneficiary’s name, signature, and the date of the appointment.
- Agent Information: Captures the agent’s name, contact information, and, in some cases, their unique identifier or license number.
- Timeframe: Specifies that the SOA is valid for the scheduled appointment.
When to Use a Paper SOA
- When a digital SOA is unavailable or inaccessible.
- For in-person appointments where the beneficiary prefers or requires a physical document.
- In compliance audits to verify that discussions were limited to the beneficiary-approved topics.