Can I enroll a member at an event?
Yes — but what you can do depends on which type of event you're holding. At an educational event you cannot take applications at all; at a marketing/sales event or a personal marketing appointment, you can distribute and accept plan applications.
What the rule says
Educational events — applications are not permitted:
“MA organizations holding or participating in educational events may not conduct sales or marketing presentations or distribute or accept plan applications.”
Marketing or sales events — this is a list of things plans/agents may do:
“MA organizations holding or participating in marketing events may do any of the following:”
“Distribute and accept plan applications.”
Personal marketing appointments — same permission applies:
“MA organizations holding a personal marketing appointment may do any of the following:”
Note also the seasonal timing restriction on when enrollment applications may be solicited or accepted for a given effective date:
“As such, enrollment applications may not be solicited or accepted for a January 1 effective date until October 15 of the preceding calendar year, unless the beneficiary has an SEP.”
One fact would determine which set of rules applies to your situation: whether the event is advertised/structured as an educational event, a marketing/sales event, or a one-on-one personal marketing appointment.
Carrier and FMO rules are often stricter than CMS rules. This tool reports what CMS sources say and is not legal advice. Enrollment guidance shown is the CY 2027 version. Regulation text reflects the CY 2027 marketing rules, which apply to marketing beginning October 1, 2026.
This answer was generated by mapdbot from the sources listed below on September 23, 2026 and checked against them. Regulation text: eCFR as of 09/15/2026. It is for licensed insurance agents, is not legal advice, and does not cover carrier or FMO rules.
Sources cited
Related questions
- Can I collect phone numbers and schedule appointments at an educational event? What if somebody wants to enroll right there?
- Can I hold a sales event right after an educational event in the same building?
- Do I need a scope of appointment for an existing client? And does the waiting period still apply?
- How can I generate referrals and work with churches, senior centers, or other community organizations while staying compliant?
- How long do we have to keep call recordings and SOAs? Does the same rule apply to permission to contact?