Plan Advisors

Helping you choose the right health plan

5 Must-Do Things When Gearing Up for AEP 2022

certifications

by

It seems like yesterday we were taking a deep breath after a unique 2021 Medicare Advantage annual enrollment period. But here we are today and Medicare Sales Specialists across the country are getting notified of 2022 MA plan certification trainings, carrier updates, and AEP marketing ideas. Time certainly flies when you’re having fun!

As we get closer to October 15, all things MA related will only get more hectic. 

To make sure our brokers hit the ground running, we’ve put together a list of things to knock out as early as possible. Getting these things done early will ensure you can focus on marketing and sales instead of administrative chores when AEP kicks off.

1. Get Contracted to Sell Medicare Advantage Plans NOW 

Representing more plans means you can offer more options to your clients and ensure that they receive the best plan for their needs. 

If there are plans you want to represent in 2022 and you are not yet appointed with the carrier, get that ball rolling immediately. The closer you get to selling season, the more brokers there will be flooding the carriers with appointment requests. You will not regret getting out ahead of the broker contract traffic jam.

2. Complete Medicare Training: AHIP or NAHU

In order to sell during AEP, you have to complete training annually. In the past, AHIP was the go-to Medicare training provider, but this year some carriers are accepting the NAHU training. 

Both training programs have advantages over the other. AHIP is universally recognized, but NAHU is cheaper, offers CE credits, and is being accepted by more carriers every day (see the growing list HERE).

If one of the carriers you represent doesn’t accept the NAHU program then you’ll need to complete the AHIP training program, so pay special attention to which carriers are accepting NAHU. 

Plan Advisors brokers can review our Carrier Certification information page for complete details.

Whichever training you decide to pursue, get it done sooner rather than later.

3. Complete Carrier Specific Certifications

Many MA plan sponsors still require you to complete their specific training in addition to submitting your AHIP or NAHU certification. Carrier certification dates, discounts, and platforms vary. For complete details visit our Carrier Certification information page on our portal.

The sooner you complete carrier certifications, the sooner you can focus on AEP marketing and selling. No matter the number of carriers you choose to represent, put certifications in your rearview mirror quickly.

4. Familiarize Yourself with Online Enrollment Platforms

If there’s one thing the 2021 selling season taught us, it’s that digital enrollment tools are here to stay. 

Online enrollment platforms make it easy to compare, quote, and enroll clients in Medicare plans anytime of year, but during AEP it is especially helpful to have access to these tools on-the-go and from anywhere. 

Many carriers have their own digital enrollment tools, but our Broker Connect tool gives you access to multiple carriers all on one platform, helping you simplify your Medicare sales.

Whether you use a carrier-specific enrollment platform, or our Broker Connect tool, familiarize yourself with these invaluable systems. There’s nothing that will slow you down more than having to learn them on the fly during AEP.

5. Get Familiar with Broker Portals

Most carriers have online broker portals which will allow you to access plan materials, pull commission reports, submit customer service issues, and much more. Use them to your advantage and make your business more efficient.

If you wait until you’re in the thick of the Annual Enrollment Period to access these tools, you won’t have the time to learn the full capabilities available to you. So don’t wait! Familiarize yourself with them today.

We are less than four months away from the start of the Annual Election Period. Challenge yourself to get these five tasks completed before August 15, and you won’t regret giving yourself two months of breathing room and marketing prep before AEP.If you have questions or need help with any of these items, please think “Plan Advisors first” and let us know how we can help.

by

For new health insurance brokers looking to get appointed with carriers in the Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plan arenas, most will be required to complete certification training. AHIP’s Medicare Fraud, Waste & Abuse training program is one of the most popular certification training programs. To help you prepare for your AHIP exam, we’ve put together some AHIP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

AHIP Frequently Asked Questions

What is AHIP?

America’s Health Insurance Plans is a national trade association that represents over 1,000 companies that provide health coverage and health-related services to most of the U.S. population.

Do I have to take AHIP?

Most MA and Part D plan sponsors require Medicare sales certification training prior to allowing a health insurance broker to represent the carrier’s line of Medicare products.

AHIP’s Medicare Fraud, Waste & Abuse training is by far the most used program in the industry.

Each year carriers release the specifics on their required certification training. For example, here are Humana’s certification requirements for the 2022 plan year.

Where do I take the AHIP exam?

The AHIP training program is hosted on an interactive online platform, new for the 2022 plan year! The AHIP training platform makes it easy to complete self-guided modules and the final exam.

How much does it cost to take the AHIP Exam?

The full price for AHIP’s MFWA training is $175. Several carriers offer the course at a discounted price ($125) if a broker signs up for the training via the carrier’s producer portal.

As carriers release their certification information, we send out a full list of requirements to our brokers – so keep an eye on your email as June rolls around!

Is there a test?

Yes, you must pass the final exam found at the end of the training.

You only have three attempts to successfully pass the final exam. If you fail all three attempts, you will have to pay for the training again, and many carriers will not allow you to sell MA or Part D for the entire plan year.

What is the AHIP exam like?

The AHIP exam is 50 questions. Brokers have two hours to complete it, and they may print the AHIP training modules to use for the test. A passing score is 90% or higher.

Remember, brokers are encouraged to take their time and use notes!

You can find out more about AHIP’s Medicare Fraud, Waste & Abuse training platform HERE. But remember, you can sign up for the training through several different carrier portals to receive a $50 discount. Some brokers may even be fully reimbursed based on enrollments completed during the Annual Election Period.

We hope you’ve found these AHIP Frequently Asked Questions helpful. If you have more questions about the AHIP certification, we’d be happy to help!

by

We are a little more than a month away from AHIP’s launch of their 2022 plan year Medicare Fraud, Waste & Abuse (MFWA) training. The AHIP training program is by far the leader when it comes to annual CMS required training for Medicare sales specialists. Over 100,000 brokers use AHIP’s MFWA training every year to obtain compliance with CMS standards.

AHIP’s Plan Year 2022 MFWA Online Training Launches on June 21, 2021

Changes coming for 2022

AHIP is introducing their 2022 plan year training on a new interactive platform, that will provide the following:

  • Easier site navigation
  • Mobile-friendly use
  • Ease switching from Spanish to English
  • Stronger security

Why take the AHIP Medicare Fraud, Waste & Abuse training?

In order to sell Medicare Advantage plans, most carriers require brokers to complete AHIP training. This ensures that brokers are compliant with the latest CMS Medicare marketing and sales guidelines and regulations.

If you are new to the Medicare sales industry and have never taken the AHIP Medicare Fraud, Waste & Abuse training, here’s what you’ll learn:

  • Basics of Medicare eligibility and benefits
  • The various types of Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans
  • Marketing and enrollment guidelines for Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans
  • How to identify fraud, waste & abuse
  • The costs associated with fraud, waste & abuse

How AHIP Certification Works

The AHIP Certification program consists of self-guided training modules that culminate in a timed exam. At the end of each training module are review questions, which must be answered before taking the AHIP exam.

The exam itself has 50 questions and brokers have 2 hours to complete it. In order to pass, brokers must receive a 90% on the exam.

The 2022 plan year AHIP certification program goes live on June 21, 2021.

We will let you know once the 2022 plan year MFWA training goes live. We will also provide an update on plan sponsor discounts as soon as they are made available by the various carriers.

If this is your first year taking the AHIP certification, we’re here to help with answers to AHIP frequently asked questions.

Brokers interested in completing 2021 MFWA training still have until June 17th to gain compliance. CLICK HERE to get started.

by

As agents we are pulled in many different directions, life and business events occur, and things occassionally slip through the cracks. Certifications can easily be one of those things that slips through the cracks. Here are two major reasons why it’s a good idea to make sure your certifications are current:

[Read more…] about Why it’s important to maintain your Medicare Advantage certifications

by

Statistically, the number of Humana’s MAPD/PDP enrollments that result in an allegation against an agent is just a small fraction of a single percent.  The number of allegations that are founded as a result of investigation are just a fraction of allegations themselves, which is outstanding.  Here are my root cause reasons for these strong compliance outcomes:

[Read more…] about A Couple Bad Apples Cause Excessive Re-certification Work for All

by

Recently I’ve been getting a lot of questions about when recertification for AHIP and Humana will be available, and the best cost/benefit timing for getting newly certified for Medicare Advantage plans. Normally these web based modules come online for the upcoming season in late July, but it appears they are going live sooner than ever.  AHIP training for 2014 plans will actually launch next week!  For Humana, you can re-certify and newly certify for 2014 beginning July 15th.      

[Read more…] about Medicare Training and Certification Planning Dates and Tips