What is a Scope of Appointment (SOA)?
If you have set up a meeting with a licensed agent to talk about Medicare plans, you may be asked to complete a Scope of Appointment, often shortened to SOA. It is a short agreement that records which types of Medicare products you have agreed to discuss before the meeting begins. It exists to keep the conversation focused on what you actually want to talk about — nothing more.
This is general education, not personalized advice, and it does not describe every rule, and the rules can change from year to year. For official information about Medicare's marketing protections, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased help.
Why the Scope of Appointment exists
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — the federal agency that runs Medicare — requires the SOA as a consumer protection. The idea is simple: an agent should only discuss the products you agreed to hear about. If you arranged a meeting to talk about a Medicare Advantage plan, the SOA helps make sure the conversation does not quietly turn into a pitch for something you never asked about.
The form documents your consent — in writing or by recording — so there is a clear record of what you agreed to discuss. It protects you, and it also protects the agent by setting clear expectations before the meeting starts.
What products an SOA covers
An SOA is used for personal marketing appointments about Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. When you complete one, you check the specific product types you are willing to discuss. You can select one or several — for example, Medicare Advantage and Part D — and the agent should stay within those topics.
A personal marketing appointment is any meeting tailored to you (or a small group) to discuss these plans. It does not matter where it happens: the rules apply whether you meet in person, talk on the phone, or meet over video.
When you complete it
You complete the SOA before the personal marketing appointment begins. For an in-person meeting it is documented in writing; for a phone or virtual meeting your agreement can be recorded. Either way, the record is made before the agent starts discussing the plans.
One rule recently changed. CMS used to require a 48-hour waiting period between completing the SOA and holding the appointment. Effective October 1, 2026, that waiting period was removed, so an agent can now collect your Scope of Appointment and continue to the meeting the same day, on the same call. The SOA must still be completed first — only the mandatory wait is gone.
What signing an SOA does not mean
Completing a Scope of Appointment does not enroll you in anything. It is not an application, it does not sign you up for a plan, and it does not obligate you to buy or change your coverage. You are simply agreeing on what topics the meeting will cover.
You stay in control. You can choose to discuss only some products and leave others off. If, during the meeting, you decide you want to talk about a product you did not list, you can complete a new SOA to add it. And you are always free to end the conversation, take time to think it over, or decide not to enroll.
What to expect, and your protections
At a Medicare marketing appointment, an agent should explain options clearly and answer your questions without pressure. There are rules they must follow: they cannot require you to meet with a sales agent just to get plan information, they cannot try to sell you non-health products (such as life insurance or annuities) during a meeting set up to discuss your Medicare health or drug coverage, and they cannot use the SOA to push you toward a decision.
If something feels off — you feel pressured, or the conversation drifts to products you did not agree to discuss — you can stop the meeting. You can also report concerns to 1-800-MEDICARE.
What to do next
If you have a meeting coming up, completing a Scope of Appointment is a normal, routine step — not a commitment. Read what you are agreeing to, check only the product types you want to discuss, and keep a copy for your records.
For free, unbiased help understanding your options outside of any sales meeting, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Medicare.gov, or 1-800-MEDICARE. If you would like to speak with a licensed agent, you can find a local one through our directory and decide for yourself who to contact.
Frequently asked questions
Does signing a Scope of Appointment enroll me in a plan?
No. An SOA only records which product types you agree to discuss. It is not an application or an enrollment, and it does not obligate you to buy or change anything.
Do I have to complete one to get Medicare information?
For a personal marketing appointment about Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, the agent needs your SOA before discussing those plans. But you can always get general information on your own — through Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your SHIP — without one.
Is there still a 48-hour waiting period?
No. CMS removed the 48-hour waiting requirement effective October 1, 2026. An agent can now collect your Scope of Appointment and continue to the appointment the same day. The SOA still must be completed before the meeting begins.
Can I change what I want to discuss after signing?
Yes. If you decide you want to discuss a product you did not originally select, you can complete a new Scope of Appointment to add it.
Does it cost anything or affect my benefits?
No. Completing an SOA is free and has no effect on your Medicare benefits. It simply documents your consent for the meeting.
This is general education, not personalized advice, and plan details change every year. For all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at shiphelp.org.