Which of the following is not considered prohibited unsolicited contact with a Medicare-eligible consumer according to CMS regulations and UnitedHealthcare policies?

• A. Mailing a marketing brochure to the consumer via postal mail
• B. Cold calling a consumer about plans
• C. Emailing a marketing message without consent
• D. Door-to-door canvassing

Answer: (A)

Marketing communications to Medicare beneficiaries are tightly regulated to protect individuals from intrusive outreach. The key idea is that certain channels are restricted when the contact is unsolicited, especially those that feel invasive or pressuring. Mailing a marketing brochure via postal mail fits the allowed, non-intrusive channel approach when it follows required guidelines (clear plan identification, accurate information, and an easy opt-out process). It lets recipients review information on their own time and does not pressure them in real time.

In contrast, cold calling is a form of direct outreach that CMS and UnitedHealthcare policies prohibit as unsolicited contact because it’s immediate and can feel coercive. Emailing a marketing message without the recipient’s consent also runs afoul of can-spam-like rules and CMS guidelines. Door-to-door canvassing is similarly invasively social and is prohibited for unsolicited outreach to Medicare-eligible individuals. So mailing a brochure by postal mail is the permissible option, while the other methods are not.