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What is the maximum value of a gift I can give at a sales event?

Agents may offer nominal gifts at sales events, but the gift can't exceed the dollar limits CMS ties to HHS OIG's nominal value guidance, and it can never be cash or a cash-equivalent.

What the rule says

“MA organizations may not do any of the following:”
42 CFR § 422.2263(b)
“Offer gifts to beneficiaries, unless the gifts are of nominal value (as governed by guidance published by the HHS OIG), are offered to similarly situated beneficiaries without regard to whether or not the beneficiary enrolls, and are not in the form of cash or other monetary rebates.”
42 CFR § 422.2263(b)(2) / § 423.2263(b)(2)

The same prohibition applies to Part D sponsors:

CMS guidance explains what "nominal value" means in dollar terms:

“HHS OIG’s current interpretation of “nominal value” is set forth in “Office of Inspector General’s (OIG’s) Policy Statement Regarding Gifts of Nominal Value To Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries,” and is no more than $15 per item or $75 in the aggregate, per person, per year.”
MCMG § 422.2263(b)(2) / 423.2263(b)(2) – Nominal gifts

The guidance also restates the non-discrimination and no-cash conditions:

“Nominal gifts must be offered to similarly situated beneficiaries without discrimination and without regard to whether the beneficiary enrolls in a plan.”
MCMG § 422.2263(b)(2) / 423.2263(b)(2) – Nominal gifts
“Nominal gifts may not be in the form of cash, including cash-equivalents, or other monetary rebates.”
MCMG § 422.2263(b)(2) / 423.2263(b)(2) – Nominal gifts

So the working limit is $15 per item and $75 total per person per year, and the gift must not be cash or a cash-equivalent (like a general-purpose gift card), and must be offered to everyone attending regardless of whether they enroll.

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

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