AHIP Medicare training
The AHIP Medicare training is necessary if you want to sell either Medicare MAPD, MA and or PDP plans. Most companies require AHIP and their own online training in order to be ready to sell. Some companies require a one time face to face training as well.
Update: This information has been updated for 2020 CLICK HERE FOR 2020 INFORMATION
What is AHIP and why do I need AHIP Medicare training?
AHIP or America’s Health Insurance Plans was started in 2013 and represents almost 1,300 health insurance companies. They lobby to produce an affordable health care system. If you want to sell either Medicare Advantage plans or Prescription drug plans, you will need to pass this test. Because the government administers Medicare Advantage plans, there are rules you must follow to sell them. Most insurers require the AHIP to make sure agents comply with the CMS guidelines set in place to protect the rights of our senior citizens.
AHIP Medicare training consists of 2 parts.
One part is the Medicare sales and marketing guidelines. This part goes over eligibility, benefits and different types of MA and Drug plans. It also teaches compliance marketing guidelines and enrollment procedures. The other part is the fraud, waste and abuse section (FWA). The FWA section explains tools and efforts by the insurance industry used to detect fraud. This section educates agents on the costs of fraud waste and abuse and tells ou how to report such issues.
AHIP Medicare training: The cost of the AHIP certification test is normally $175.
You can take the AHIP directly from the AHIP website. The 2019 certifications are available starting June 18,2018. Click here for AHIP website.
However, Many carriers give agents a discounted rate or $125, if they take the certification through the carriers’s website. You must take product certifications with most carriers. These certifications are separate from AHIP and focus on specific plan details the carrier offers. You can get these certifications done through the carrier’s broker portal. This training is in addition to the AHIP Medicare training. Many carriers have annual certifications that include the AHIP. If you do not pass the AHIP, you will not be considered ready to sell by the carriers.
AHIP Medicare training: You must take the test every year
The test does have a time limit. As a result, you will have 3 tries to pass the test. If you still cannot pass after 3 tries, you can re-enroll and buy another set of 3 attempts. Please note; many carriers will not allow you to sell their products for the year if you have not passed after 3 tries. You do not have a specified wait time before you retake the test. You can take it as soon as you feel you are ready.
If one of your carriers offers the test through their broker portal, you will be able to take it at a discounted rate.
The AHIP is an open book test. Be sure to print the training modules and use them while you take the test.
You will have 2 hours to take the 50 question test. You need a score of 90% or higher to pass the test.
The training modules for each section are not timed. It may take a long time to get through them when you read them for the first time. Give yourself plenty of study time before your first try this test.
Did you have AHIP in the previous year?
If so, the AHIP test for the following year is available without clicking on all the modules. You can simply go through module 4 and 5 and then take the test. Those that passed AHIP the prior year are not required to go through mods 1-3 the next year.
AHIP Medicare training – Wait for July?
Taking the AHIP exam in July will allow you to offer MAPD and PDP plans for the remainder of the year and the following year. For example, if someone takes the 2020 AHIP exam and passes in August of 2019, they can sell for the rest of 2019 and 2020!
If you want to join the Crowe and associates team; Click here for agent contracting kit
Need sales training? – Watch our recorded webinars
Leave a Comment