Do you use Google to advertise your health insurance services? If so, you should know about these important policy updates affecting health insurance advertising through Google Ads.
Listen to this article:
Google is updating their policy for individuals and businesses advertising health or medical insurance through their Google Ad platform in the United States. Agents or businesses that advertise health or medical insurance products through this service will soon need to be approved and certified as being properly licensed.
Google’s Policy Update for Health Insurance Advertising
Beginning on June 2, 2021, Google Ads will require anyone advertising health and medical insurance to certify with Verisk Financial G2. Only government entities are exempt. Completing the G2 certification will prove that you’re licensed to sell these products in each relevant jurisdiction.
According to Google and Verisk Financial, health insurance advertisers must:
- Identify themselves to G2 as a health insurance provider.
- Certify to G2 that they are permitted under state and/or local laws to lawfully promote and sell health insurance.
- Identify whether or not they are registered with the U.S. government to promote and sell Affordable Care Act qualified health plans (optional).
Details on the G2 Certification for Health Insurance Ads
Advertisers can apply for this certification on the G2 website. There is a one-time application fee, based on the number of states/locales where you do business, as well as an annual monitoring fee if you’re approved.
The application fees for each licensed state or locale are as follows:
- 0 to 20 states or locales will cost $39 per state or locale up to 20
- 21 to 40 states or locales will cost $780 plus $29 per state or locale over 20
- Over 41 states or locales will cost $1,360 plus $19 per state or locale over 40
More detailed information and on these one-time application fees can be found on G2’s website.
You can find a sample application on the G2 website, and you should be prepared to apply by having your licensing information for each state you plan to advertise in on hand, as well as any other necessary documents G2 indicates for each state or location (e.g., proof of ACA qualification). Once all information and proper documentation is submitted, the process should take approximately 14 days or less until you’re approved.
Once all information and proper documentation is submitted, the process should take approximately 14 days or less until you’re approved.
Why Is Google Changing Their Healthcare and Medicines Policy?
The purpose of this policy change is to ensure that those advertising health insurance products or services on Google are not only legitimate, but high-quality, licensed health insurance agents, brokerages, or providers certified to sell where they’re marketing. According to Verisk Financial’s site, G2 certification will help “distinguish high quality merchants and advertisers from bad actors.”
This development is a marked step-forward in ensuring online advertising remains secure, safe, and accessible for consumers and salespeople in the health insurance market.
If you have any questions, or would like more information, you can contact Verisk Financial G2 directly at [email protected].
Share Post