Navigating CME Gift Cards: Guidelines, Policies, Important Tips

Whether you’re making a purchase for personal or for business use, looking for ways to maximize spending and add value is a no-brainer. Gift cards — commonly used incentives within the CME industry — are one of the most straightforward ways to achieve that. Or are they?

Before choosing CME with a gift card bonus, it's important that you understand some of the guidelines surrounding them. Here are several points you should consider when it comes to CME gift cards:

ACCME’s Stance on Gift Cards and Incentives

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) sets strict guidelines regarding the use of financial incentives related to CME products and programs.

According to ACCME standards, financial rewards like gift cards shouldn’t be used to influence a healthcare provider’s participation in educational activities. This standard is intended to ensure that CME programs remain objective, unbiased, and focused solely on improving clinical knowledge and skills.

Oakstone’s Commitment to ACCME Guidelines

As an ACCME-accredited provider of continuing medical education, Oakstone CME maintains a strong commitment to transparency and compliance with the council’s published guidelines.

Oakstone ensures that when gift cards are offered along with a CME purchase, disclosures related to the gift card, its acceptance, and any potential tax implications are clearly communicated. We’re committed to providing accurate, detailed receipts for our customers, as well.

This proactive approach helps you stay within boundaries while taking advantage of the educational benefits Oakstone offers.

Your Employer’s Policy on Gift Cards

If you’re contemplating the purchase of CME that’s bundled with a gift card, be sure to check your employer’s policy. Some have strict regulations when it comes to incentives with monetary value. Policies often align with broader industry guidelines like the ACCME regulations in order to avoid any conflict of interest or ethical dilemmas.

The safest path? Know your employer’s guidelines, particularly those related to using your stipend dollars for CME reimbursement.

Your Tax Advisor’s Guidance

Gift cards may be considered taxable income. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally treats gift cards as cash equivalents, which means you could owe taxes on their value.

A tax professional can help you understand any reporting requirements and determine whether or not you’ll need to declare your gift card as taxable income. It’s the best way to avoid any surprises when tax season rolls around!

Return and Refund Policies

Whether you’re opting for CME with a gift card or not, don’t skip the fine print. You should be able to easily locate a seller’s terms of service, where you’ll find that with few exceptions, online digital content is non-returnable and non-refundable.

Some providers may issue partial refunds or limit the refund period to a short time frame. Oakstone CME, for example, offers credit toward a future purchase when a refund is requested, regardless of the original purchase date.

Content is Still Priority

CME gift cards are an attractive incentive when you’re seeking to expand your knowledge and meet CME and MOC certification requirements. But ultimately, it’s important to choose a CME course that delivers the content and insight you need — regardless of any added incentive.

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Oakstone strives every day to provide simple solutions for continuing medical education that advance patient care and create value. If you prefer a discount offer, please check out our current non-gift card incentives.