Medicare Blog

how do i become a medicare sales agent with blue cross blue shield medicare

by Prof. Queen Harvey MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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There are no college requirements for becoming a Medicare sales agent. However, if you plan to work for an insurance company, your actual employer might require, or encourage applicants, to have a degree. If you are still in school or are considering going back to school, pursue a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or business.

Full Answer

How do I become a Medicare agent?

If you need to change your coverage or file a claim or appeal, a Medicare agent is there for you. 1. Obtain Your Health Insurance License 2. Complete America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) certification 3. Get Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance 4. Contract with multiple carriers 5. Complete Annual Carrier Medicare Certifications 6.

Do you need Medicare insurance sales agent certification?

But no matter how much experience you have, you need proper Medicare insurance sales agent training to complete the certification process. Medicare products and regulations change every year. As a result, new plans come on the market, and existing plans shift their offerings. Sweeping Advantage-wide changes happen, too.

How do I get a Blue Cross Agent certification?

Meet your licensing requirements Get certified in state-approved education credits The agent training center is personalized to only show information that’s relevant to you. Here are some of the topics: Stay plugged in to the latest health care reform updates, Blue Cross products and certifications.

What certifications are needed to sell Medicare Advantage plans?

These certifications exist to help protect seniors and reward agents who do things the right way. To sell Medicare Advantage plans, you'll have to complete the America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) certification in addition to each carrier's compliance and product certifications.

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How do I learn to sell Medicare?

To sell Medicare Advantage plans, you'll have to complete the America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) certification in addition to each carrier's compliance and product certifications. These certifications exist to help protect seniors and reward agents who do things the right way.

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.

Can you make good money selling Medicare?

Earning income potential is dependent on sales commissions, talent and location. On average, medicare sales agent jobs pay around ​$65,000​ annually, but top agents can earn six-figure incomes in just three years, suggests Redbird Network.

How do I get Medicare clients?

⍟ 14 Ways to Generate Medicare Supplement LeadsBuild & Maintain a Website. ... Social Media Presence. ... Video Marketing. ... Blogging, Writing Articles. ... Email. ... Online Events: Live webinars, podcasts. ... Direct Requests / Client Referrals. ... Lead Swapping Partnerships (Asking other professionals for referrals)More items...

How much do Medicare leads cost?

As mentioned previously, new Medicare Advantage pay $25 for each direct mail lead.

What are the three main ways in which Medicare sales occur?

There are three different types of Medicare products sold by agents and brokers: Medicare Supplement plans (Also called Medigap plans), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D Rx plans.

Is selling Medicare hard?

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.

What is street level commission?

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.

What is an FMO in Medicare?

FMO stands for field marketing organization, which is very similar to an independent marketing organization (IMO). FMOs provide independent agents with perks and resources and help them get contracted with carriers to sell plans.

How can I get free Medicare leads?

Essential Care Insurance Agency provides a free Medicare Lead program to agents who have a contract with us. There is no minimum production requirement for this reimbursement package to begin. You purchase leads from any vendor and are reimbursed 100% of the cost of the leads.

Can you advertise for Medicare?

Medicare private plans are allowed to conduct certain activities. For instance, companies can market their plan through direct mail, radio, television, and/or print advertisements. Agents can also visit your home if you invite them for a marketing appointment. Never feel pressured to join any plan.

What license do I need to sell Medicare insurance in Florida?

The 2-15 agents license allows an agent to sell all forms of Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Medicare Supplement, HMO, Home Health Care, Managed Care and Long Term Care policies in Florida.

Once you've joined

If you have additional questions about Blue Cross, please contact us. Thanks again for your interest in becoming a Blue Cross agent. We look forward to you joining our team.

Health Care Reform

You play a vital role in the health insurance purchasing process. Learn more about how health care reform will impact you and your customers.

How to become a licensed health insurance agent?

First things first, you have to get a health insurance license — in the state you live in (currently). You’ll get the essential training to know how Medicare plans work. During the license process, you will study: 1 Coinsurance 2 Deductibles 3 Healthcare laws 4 Professional ethics and compliance 5 Networks like HMO, PPO, and PFFS 6 Claims adjudication

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

When you pass your state health insurance exam, you’re officially certified to sell products in your resident state — once the testing center sends your successful test score to the state. This process usually takes a few days.

How to keep your insurance license active in Texas?

Keep your insurance license active by finishing your continuing education credits through courses. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, an individual must complete a minimum of “4 hours of department certified continuing education.”.

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, ...

When do you get your AHIP certification?

AHIP certification will most often start in late June or early July for the following Medicare plan year. For example, getting certified in June or July 2021 will get you certified to sell for the 2022 plan year. The exam costs $175 to take each year.

Do you need a life insurance license to sell Medicare?

Take note that many health insurance exam vendors also offer life insurance certifications at the same time. While it is not required, selling Medicare and having a life insurance license is a good idea – it provides you the option to offer clients other products they may need down the road.

Does Medicare require special certification?

Understand that selling certain Medicare products does require special certification as determined by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS regulates Medicare plans, the insurance carriers, and insurance agents and agencies who sell them.

Is selling Medicare insurance rewarding?

Selling Medicare health insurance can be rewarding in many ways, including personally, professionally, and financially. You are helping a lot of people who need it and building strong relationships along the way.

What Does a Medicare Sales Representative Do?

A Medicare sales representative focuses on helping people who are eligible for Medicare find a Medicare plan that meets their needs and aiding them with the enrollment process. A Medicare sales rep works within an assigned territory. Your responsibilities include working with seniors to determine their eligibility for Medicare benefits.

How to Become a Medicare Sales Representative

The qualifications that you need to start working as a Medicare sale representative include sales skills, knowledge of Medicare regulations, and familiarity with the available healthcare plans. If you are a participant in the field of Medicare insurance plan sales, you are required to follow Medicare sales and marketing guidelines.

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.

Good place to work

Good place to work...good benefits...you have the ability to make lot of money in sales...good home and life balance. For the most part, everyone is willing to help you get to the top.

Days full or activity at work

Responsibilities of training, managing and leading teams of licensed sales agents creates very busy and rewarding days. Watching new agents learn, progress and succeed is very gratifying.

Experience

This was my first experience in insurance industry and earned licenses in multiples states. It was a great experience finding solutions for customer to obtain health insurance.

Great people, not the best boss

I worked there straight out of college and had no real sales training. I was not an over producer and realized I enjoyed helping the customers more than selling new ones. I had the highest retention rate in the company but occasionally struggled to meet quota.

Great career opportunity

Blue Cross and Blue Shield was a great place to begin my career in the insurance field. The company was dedicated to product knowledge training. Being a detached agent allowed self development of time management and organizational skills.

Management changes were constant while I worked there

I worked in general 10 hour days, and traveled 70% of the time. I learned a lot about the healthcare industry however learned that customer focused efforts where limited. Diversity sensitivity was missing from this organization. In my department, I unfortunately worked with a manager who had poor skills and was not a people person.

Intensive Training and Product Knowledge

Lot's of Government guidelines and regulations to follow while still maintaining a high paced, high energy environment.

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