AHIP Medicare Training 2019: 5 Essential Things You Need to Know

AHIP Medicare training is a lot like preparing for a big performance. You learn the material; then, come October 15, the AEP 2019 curtain goes up…

So, to ensure you have a super successful Annual Enrolment Period (AEP) season, here’s what you need to know about your AHIP training:

1. You need to do your AHIP Certification exam NOW!

Even as a seasoned Medicare agent, you’ll have to complete the AHIP (re)certification.

The good news: you know how AHIP works (you proved it with a fantastic 2018 selling season).

Now it’s time for an official knowledge refresh and update. You’ll complete the AHIP Medicare Recertification 2019 training and the Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) 2019 training.

New agents — you’re new to selling insurance (congratulations!). For your AHIP certification, this will be your chance to build a solid Medicare and FWA knowledge base.

You’ll learn critical information that will protect your clients and build your reputation as a valuable Medicare resource (essential for growing your business).

So, get your study materials together and nail that exam. Your carriers will welcome you, and your clients will love you.

2. You’ll need 5 (or more) hours to complete your AHIP Medicare training

It takes several hours to do the training modules (depending on your studying and learning style). Once you’re done with the modules, you’ll be eligible to do the exam — 50 questions, timed.

Note: You have to complete the exam in one sitting. Once you’re ready to start the exam, block off 2 hours and set yourself up in an exam-friendly space with a solid internet connection.

It’s also an open-book exam — so take good notes as you go through the modules, and use them as a reference (you’ve got this!).

To get a feel for how the exam works, click here to see the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) registration guide.

Worried about not passing the first time? You get three attempts at the exam. After that, you have to pay again (ouch).

3. AHIP is two courses in one

You’ll complete two courses within your AHIP training…

Medicare training — you’ll learn essential Medicare information, including eligibility, benefits and the ins-and-outs of Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans.

Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) training — you’ll be selling government-regulated products to your clients. So, the goal of the training is to give you the tools you need to understand FWA — from the human toll of bad practices to detection and reporting procedures.

4. Your carrier may have specific AHIP certification requirements

This is important, as carriers may require you do your AHIP certification on a particular platform. (You do not want to find out after you’ve completed the exam — and paid for it — that a carrier won’t accept your transcript.)

Contact your carrier to make sure you’re signing up with an approved AHIP certification company.

(Need quick access to major carriers’ contact info? Get it here in the Financial Grade AEP 2019 Mini Guide)

5. AHIP training is only the first step toward certification (and selling)

A little like passing your car safety inspection before you can register your vehicle, your AHIP training is the first step in your certification process.

Once you’re done with your AHIP training, you’ll be able to finish the individual carriers’ certifications.

Here’s to a fantastic AEP season!

Your AHIP certification is a big deal. Yes, you have a short window before AEP, but you can get your certifications — all of them — done.

And while the certifications are mandatory, they offer two great benefits: they give you the tools you need to grow your business and they train you to be the professional, helpful agent every senior needs.

Break a leg!

You don’t have to navigate your certifications alone!

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about

AHIP, carrier certifications and AEP 2019.

Give us a call today: 877.386.6615