Medicare Blog

how can i become a medicare agent

by Kurt Gibson DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Steps to Becoming a Medicare Insurance Agent

  • Get your health insurance license.
  • Complete AHIP Certification
  • Get errors and omissions insurance (E&O insurance)
  • Contract with a Medicare Field Marketing Organization (FMO)
  • Get contracted and appointed with multiple Medicare companies
  • Complete your annual certifications
  • Maintain your health insurance license continuing education

Steps to Becoming a Medicare Insurance Agent
  1. Get your health insurance license.
  2. Complete AHIP Certification.
  3. Get errors and omissions insurance (E&O insurance)
  4. Contract with a Medicare Field Marketing Organization (FMO)
  5. Get contracted and appointed with multiple Medicare companies.
  6. Complete your annual certifications.
Feb 10, 2021

Full Answer

How do you become a Medicare broker?

Feb 10, 2021 · How to Become a Medicare Insurance Agent Job Description at a Glance. It is simple. When you become a Medicare insurance agent, there are two main groups you are... Getting Licensed. Learning how to sell Medicare is simple, but it takes work to maintain your residual income every year. Course to ...

What to expect from your Medicare insurance agent?

Just as with selling other types of insurance, you'll generally need a health insurance license to sell Medicare plans. Specific requirements for licensure vary by state, but you'll need a resident license for your own state and non-resident licenses for any other states in which you plan to sell.

How much can you make to qualify for Medicare?

A Medicare insurance agent is a rewarding career choice because you’re helping vulnerable seniors who need financial support for their medical needs. Becoming a Medicare sales agent is simple. You must get your health insurance certification, complete Medicare coursework, partner with an FMO, and partner with an insurance company.

How can I become a health insurance agent?

Your first step is to take AHIP Medicare training. Upon completion of training, you’ll need to pass an exam before you can sell Medicare insurance plans. Then, each year you want to continue selling Medicare plans, you’ll need to pass the required exam, which may have additional training content associated with it.

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Is being a Medicare agent worth it?

Medicare agents have significant earning potential and a promising future of stable career growth – but it's not just about the money. Medicare agents also get to help others while taking control of their own careers. For the right person, Medicare sales can be a very rewarding and lucrative career.Jul 1, 2020

How do you make money selling Medicare?

Generally, insurance agents often earn two types of commissions when selling Medicare plans: A dollar amount per application (Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans) or a percentage of the premium sold (Medicare Supplements).Jul 26, 2021

Is it hard to sell Medicare?

No, it's not hard to sell Medicare Supplements. When you're first starting, it should be easy, because everyone on Medicare needs one. It's just an insurance product. You're not a member – you're a policyholder, and that means a lot to people.May 26, 2020

Can you make millions selling insurance?

Is It Possible To Become A Millionaire Selling Insurance? A big yes. But like any other job, it takes time to be good at what you do and attain such income levels. Top agents earn anywhere between $100,000 to one million dollars.Dec 6, 2021

What does street level commission mean?

Street level commission is the base commission amount paid by the company you work for. This is normally expressed as "base commission" or "street level commission" on the rate sheet you receive from your insurance company or General Agent.Sep 26, 2017

Can you sell life insurance and Medicare at the same time?

Under CMS guidelines, brokers are not permitted to cross-sell nonhealth-related products during a Medicare Advantage or Part D sale. So, anything that is not a health-related product, such as life insurance policies or annuities, cannot be cross-sold during a Medicare sale.Jun 25, 2018

How do I get Medicare supplemental leads?

⍟ 14 Ways to Generate Medicare Supplement Leads
  1. Build & Maintain a Website. ...
  2. Social Media Presence. ...
  3. Video Marketing. ...
  4. Blogging, Writing Articles. ...
  5. Email. ...
  6. Online Events: Live webinars, podcasts. ...
  7. Direct Requests / Client Referrals. ...
  8. Lead Swapping Partnerships (Asking other professionals for referrals)

What is a Medicare FMO?

A field marketing organization (FMO) is basically the same as an independent marketing organization (IMO). FMOs are typically top-level organizations that are licensed to sell health insurance products in most, if not all, states.

What is Medicare insurance agent?

You have a few options. A Medicare insurance agent helps people consider and evaluate different Medicare plans. They guide people toward choosing the one that is best for them. A Medicare insurance agent needs to be familiar with the ins-and-outs of every Medicare plan.

What does a Medicare agent do?

They need to respect the brands of insurance companies, building off of them to sell products to clients. As an insurance agent, you can be independent. You can work with different insurance companies, enrolling people in plans with any of them.

How does Medicare work?

The Medicare insurance agent works with people on the services they need in Medicare. You can become an insurance agent and promote the health of thousands of people. You just need to know how to get started. Here is a quick guide on how to become a Medicare insurance agent.

How many hours does a Medicare agent work?

You can hold presentations, offering your services and experience. A Medicare insurance agent works a forty-hour workweek. You will spend many of your days with clients. You will keep them updated on their current policies and sell them new ones.

How much does an FMO agent make?

If you sign with an FMO, your income will likely be commission-based, could be per product, per hour, or salaried. The average pay is around $50,000 a year for Medicare insurance agents during their first year.

Why is Medicare the most popular government program?

Medicare is one of the most popular government programs in the country because it provides for basic medical needs. More than 60 million Americans receive health insurance through Medicare. But not all Medicare programs are alike. Some offer different services than others. The Medicare insurance agent works with people on ...

What is pre licensing?

Pre-licensing courses help transition you into the insurance marketplace. They also train and prepare you for the exam. Depending on your state, you may be required to complete classroom training. You may have to self-study for a minimum number of hours.

How to get off to a fresh start as a Medicare insurance agent?

Getting off to a fresh start as a Medicare insurance agent involves getting appointed with various carriers and their products, getting commission agreements, and getting marketing support from an experienced team (Agent Pipeline’s marketing team is an excellent resource) to help you maximize your results.

What is the job description of a Medicare agent?

When you become a Medicare insurance agent, there are two main groups you are marketing to. Those are turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare health benefits. Those who are disabled, under 65, and are eligible for Medicare. Selling Medicare health insurance can be rewarding in many ways, ...

How to stay on top of Medicare insurance?

One of the crucial keys to staying on top of the Medicare insurance agent game is to commit to ongoing Medicare agent training. Connect with your FMO and see what kinds of Medicare training they offer and what you can take advantage of. Agent Pipeline offers frequent free webinars to help you with various areas related to Medicare Insurance sales from compliance, sales language, and marketing.

When does AHIP certification start?

AHIP certification will most often start in late June or early July for the following Medicare plan year.

What is agent pipeline?

Agent Pipeline is here to help you learn how to prospect leads. We have created a guide called prospecting for leads 101 which is a self-study course for success. Click here to find out how you can gain access to the prospecting for leads 101 guide download!

How long does it take to get certified to sell health insurance?

Typically, this can take a few days.

Do you need continuing education to keep your license active?

Some states require different levels of continuing education, so it is essential to keep this up to date to keep your license active. Many states require:

Is Selling Medicare Lucrative?

In short, yes. The average Medicare Advantage policy pays around $262 a year in commission if the purchase replaces an existing plan. However, you can get approximately double that — $525 — if you write up a new Medicare Advantage plan for someone who hasn't had one before.

Medicare Licenses and Training

Medicare Advantage is a great line to sell, whether you're a newcomer to selling insurance or an experienced insurance professional looking to diversify your portfolio. But no matter how much experience you have, you need proper Medicare insurance sales agent training to complete the certification process.

How to Choose Medicare Carriers and Plans to Sell

Most new agents want to rush in and offer every Medicare Advantage plan from day one. It's an understandable ambition, but it can quickly become overwhelming.

Ordering Medicare Enrollment Kits from Carriers

Each carrier has its own Medicare enrollment kit, which includes handouts that policyholders need when they're considering signing up. Different carriers include various materials in their kits, but most contain:

Help Protect Yourself with E&O Insurance

As a Medicare insurance sales agent, your role is to help your clients prepare for the unexpected and help protect themselves from financial risks. You might have the best intentions, but sometimes things don't work out as planned.

Start Working Toward a Rewarding Career Selling Medicare

All of these certifications, training requirements, and legal protections can make selling Medicare insurance feel overwhelming at first. But don't let them deter you from reaching your end goal — a rewarding and lucrative career.

How to become a Medicare agent?

1. Becoming a licensed Medicare Agent – Complete a pre-licensing course. Courses tend to be similar in price and content. Depending on your own specific learning/studying style, you can choose to take the course in a traditional classroom, online or via self-study.

How to sell Medicare Advantage plans?

If you would like to sell Medicare Advantage plans, first you will need to take the AHIP certification, and then next you will need to complete additional contracting. Use the link below to learn more.

How long does it take to get Prometric results?

In fact, Prometric notifies the Department of Insurance of your exam results within 2 business days.

What to bring to Medicare exam?

What to Bring to the exam: Becoming a licensed Medicare Agent. An original copy of the Certificate of Completion from a completed pre-licensing course of study. A current, signed form of identification.

Does Crowe and Associates offer free Medicare?

Crowe and associates offers a 100% free Medicare lead program to all agents and agencies working with us. There is no reduction in compensation and you own your own book of business. Our program is the only free lead program without any tricks or gimmicks. CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT FREE MEDICARE LEADS

What is the next step in Medicare?

The next step is completing a Medicare training course. You’ll enroll through America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) to complete the training.

How to sell Medicare products?

To sell Medicare products, partner with health insurance companies. If you want to sell with Cigna, for example, you’ll need an agreement with the company. The approval process may take some time, and the approval times depend on the carrier.

What do you learn in healthcare?

For instance, you’ll learn how deductibles and co-pays work. You’ll also learn about the claims process. Further, you ’ll learn about healthcare laws and ethics within the industry.

How much does a Medicare sales agent make?

Consider that the average Medicare sales agent salary is around $65,000. That means that top performers can earn much more than that, without having to wait decades to climb the corporate ladder.

What is the most important skill for independent agents to learn?

One important skill for independent agents to learn is to unplug when necessary. Otherwise, you might work yourself to death.

Why is it important to stay up to date as an insurance agent?

This is important as laws, regulations, and plans change all the time. So staying up to date as a sales agent is key to serving existing clients and selling to new ones.

Do you have to pass the exam to sell Medicare?

Then, each year you want to continue selling Medicare plans, you’ll need to pass the required exam, which may have additional training content associated with it .

Is selling insurance a good career?

Selling insurance, regardless of what type you focus on, is a reliable career. With training and dedication, you’ll be able to earn an above-average salary year after year.

Do you need to take a course to sell specialty insurance?

If you plan to sell any specialty insurance policies, there may be an associated course and exam required for those as well. Getting additional insurance certifications will boost your resume and allow you to serve more customers.

How to grow as an agent?

You can always grow by adding carriers, products and states. Become an expert with a few carriers. Then, add a few more.

Do Medicare agents need a license?

Medicare agents must be licensed in their resident state. Actually, agents must hold a valid health insurance license in every state they plan to sell in.

Does Medicare require certification?

Medicare supplements do not require certification. United HealthCare is an exception. UHC requires its own product certification.

Do Advantage and PDP plans require AHIP certification?

Advantage and PDP plans require AHIP certification in addition to product certification.

What is the first step in becoming a Medicare agent?

Getting your health insurance license is step one in the process of becoming a Medicare agent.

What does Medicare agent do?

As a Medicare agent (as an independent insurance agent), you’ll represent several insurance carriers to help clients choose the best Medicare plan option. You’re tasked with offering an unbiased, honest opinion.

Why is being a Medicare agent so rewarding?

The ability to help people find affordable healthcare is one reason becoming a Medicare agent is so rewarding.

What are the basics of health insurance?

You’ll undergo fundamental training that teaches you the basics of health insurance plans and how they work. Some of the most important topics covered include: 1 Deductibles 2 Claims 3 Networks (HMO, PPO, etc.) 4 Co-insurance 5 Compliance and ethics 6 Healthcare laws

What are the requirements for continuing education?

The minimum requirements for continued education include dedicated hours in your area of concentration and ethics and anti-money laundering.

Can anyone sell Medicare products?

Not just anyone can sell Medicare-related products. The Center for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) requires agents to obtain special certifications. CMS oversees all insurance companies, agents, and agencies that sell their products.

Can you sell Medicare without a license?

These requirements vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your resident state to ensure your license stays active. Without a legitimate license, you can’t continue to sell Medicare or receive commissions.

What is an authorized representative for Medicare?

An Authorized Representative is a person chosen by a Medicare beneficiary to help with Medicare-related matters, such as the following : Researching and choosing Medicare coverage . Handling Medicare claims and payments. Appealing Medicare coverage decisions.

What is Medicare Made Clear?

Medicare Made Clear is brought to you by UnitedHealthcare to help make understanding Medicare easier. Click here to take advantage of more helpful tools and resources from Medicare Made Clear including downloadable worksheets and guides.

How to name someone as an authorized representative?

To name you as an Authorized Representative, your loved one must complete a form called the “Medicare Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information.”. If your loved one is unable to complete the form, you may do it as long as you have legal documentation giving you that right.

Do you need to share your health information with Medicare?

Your loved one’s Medicare Advantage , Part D or Medicare supplement plan may also require authorization to share personal health information with you. Each plan has its own policy, so you’ll need to contact your loved one’s plan directly. You can get the information you need in the following ways:

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