Medicare Blog

how to become certified to sell medicare

by Abel Bergnaum Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How Insurance Agents Can Become Certified to Sell Medicare Plans

  • Step One: Pass AHIP exam and individual carrier certifications. All licensed brokers are required to pass an annual exam...
  • Step Two: Purchase Errors and Omissions insurance. Anyone can make mistakes, so most insurance carriers require their...

Full Answer

How do I get a license to sell Medicare insurance?

To meet the state’s qualifications, you must do the following: Once you pass the exam, you’ll receive your health insurance license, but you cannot sell Medicare insurance yet. The next step is completing a Medicare training course.

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.

Do you want to make money selling Medicare?

If you are making good money but have a desire to step out of the office rat-race and build your own lucrative business, you are in the right place. Knowing how to sell Medicare can take your income to new heights. Your income is only limited by the time you put into working.

How do I become a Medicare agent?

When you are working as an independent agent selling Medicare plans, those plans must show the state where you hold your license. Once you have your training and state license, you need to determine your sales method. You may want to meet with people online by Zoom, talk with them over the phone, or meet them in person.

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Can you make good money selling Medicare?

Is Selling Medicare Lucrative? In short, yes. The average Medicare Advantage policy pays around $287 a year in commission if the purchase replaces an existing plan. However, you can get approximately double that — $573— if you write up a new Medicare Advantage plan for someone who hasn't had one before.

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.

Is selling Medicare easy?

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.

How do I become Medicare expert?

How to Become a Medicare Specialist. Entry-level Medicare specialist jobs require a high school diploma and provide on the job training. Higher level roles as require a bachelor's degree in a field such as healthcare administration and experience in the field.

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.

Can you sell Medicare door to door?

Medicare does not send "representatives" to solicit your business. Unsolicited sales calls are prohibited: Federal regulations prohibit unsolicited telephone calls, door-to-door visits, emails and other forms of sales without your permission.

Is Medicare easier to sell than life insurance?

But those without such coverage usually delivers lower benefits. Because the product is simple, your selling process becomes quicker, unlike traditional life insurance policies that may need more than an hour's worth of explanation.

What is an FMO?

FMO — Field Marketing Organizations 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 CMS training?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed two web-based training (WBT) courses. The courses are: Part C Organization Determinations, Appeals, and Grievances, and. Part D Coverage Determinations, Appeals, and Grievances.

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.

How do I become a health insurance agent in California?

How to Get Your California Insurance LicenseComplete an Insurance Prelicensing Course. ... Pass Your California Licensing Exam. ... Get Fingerprinted. ... Apply for California Insurance License. ... Plan to Complete Required Insurance Continuing Education (CE) Credits.

How to become a Medicare provider?

Become a Medicare Provider or Supplier 1 You’re a DMEPOS supplier. DMEPOS suppliers should follow the instructions on the Enroll as a DMEPOS Supplier page. 2 You’re an institutional provider. If you’re enrolling a hospital, critical care facility, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, hospice, or other similar institution, you should use the Medicare Enrollment Guide for Institutional Providers.

How long does it take to change your Medicare billing?

To avoid having your Medicare billing privileges revoked, be sure to report the following changes within 30 days: a change in ownership. an adverse legal action. a change in practice location. You must report all other changes within 90 days. If you applied online, you can keep your information up to date in PECOS.

How to get an NPI?

If you already have an NPI, skip this step and proceed to Step 2. NPIs are issued through the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). You can apply for an NPI on the NPPES website.

Do you need to be accredited to participate in CMS surveys?

ii If your institution has obtained accreditation from a CMS-approved accreditation organization, you will not need to participate in State Survey Agency surveys. You must inform the State Survey Agency that your institution is accredited. Accreditation is voluntary; CMS doesn’t require it for Medicare enrollment.

Can you bill Medicare for your services?

You’re a health care provider who wants to bill Medicare for your services and also have the ability to order and certify. You don’t want to bill Medicare for your services, but you do want enroll in Medicare solely to order and certify.

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.

What to do when selling Medicare supplements?

When you sell Medicare supplements from home, you need to offer a variety of products to meet each beneficiary’s needs. This includes supplement products, prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage products, and ancillary products. Ensure the products you are offering benefit the client, not a push for your pocketbook.

How many clients does Medicare have?

Your income is only limited by the time you put into working. On average, a Medicare insurance agent in business for five (5) years has around 400-500 clients.

Do I Need a License?

As your mind rolls with questions about getting started, make sure you check with your state’s Department of Insurance to find out what their licensing requirements are. Some states issue you a license for health care. Other states have specific licenses for Medicare supplements.

What is Medicare Advantage?

One of the benefits is the sale of Medicare Advantage or a Medicare supplement that provides you with a residual income for years. This is a passive income you enjoy the benefit of from every sale. Working as an independent agent means the commissions pay directly to you.

How many Americans have Medicare Advantage?

Ambition to put forth the effort to make sales. About 1/3 of Americans obtain their Medicare through Medicare Advantage Plans. The other 2/3 of the eligible persons have original Medicare, and about 81% of those enroll in supplement coverage.

Can you refer Medicare insurance to a client?

If you personally deliver the Medicare insurance policy to your clients, you have the opportunity to go over again the benefits of the plan they purchased. This is also the perfect time to request a referral. By building a trusting relationship, you may be able to sell them additional products later.

Do insurance agents have to be vested?

Normally agents are vested from the first day, so you have true ownership of your business and policy renewals. Many insurance carriers provide vacation packages and exotic trips to their top-selling agents. The perks are great, and the more “extras” you offer clients, the more profit you make.

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.

How long is a pre-licensing certificate valid in Connecticut?

Pre-licensing education is valid for one year from the date of completion; you will need to take and pass your state exam within this timeframe. Connecticut requires you to present an original copy of the Certificate of Completion at your licensing exam, so make sure that you allow at least 5 mail delivery days between your course completion and the date of your scheduled exam.

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

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 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.

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.

Is Becoming a Medicare Insurance Agent Worth the Effort?

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.

What are the benefits of Medicare?

Here’s a short list on what will be covered: 1 The basics of Medicare fee-for-service eligibility and benefits 2 The different types of Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans 3 Eligibility and coverage 4 Nondiscrimination training 5 Marketing and enrollment under the Medicare Advantage and Part D program requirements

What happens when you upload a carrier certification?

Upon uploading the certification, the carrier will normally have additional carrier specific training listed in order to satisfy their requirements to sell.

What is AHIP certification?

AHIP (stands for America’s Health Insurance Plans) certification is accepted by all and required by most carriers if you want to legally sell Medicare Advantage (MA) or Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) for the current certification year. Be aware that while most carriers will require AHIP certification, it will only serve as a pre-requisite ...

How much does it cost to pass the AHIP test?

PSM is proud to offer our agents a discount for AHIP certification at $125. The test normally costs $175 for 3 attempts and you must score a 90% to pass. If you fail all 3 attempts you will need to apply again (and pay again) for 3 more attempts.

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