As AEP swiftly approaches, insurance agents everywhere are gearing up for the busy selling season. Whether you are certifying for new products, getting contracted with top carriers in your area, or building out your lead portfolio, it is a hectic time in the industry. So, how can you use this time wisely while you wait for October to arrive? One of the smartest moves is to check off that annual requirement all Medicare Advantage agents must complete: the AHIP exam. AHIP, short for America’s Health Insurance Plans, requires all agents selling Medicare Advantage to complete their training and certification each year. Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this article will refresh your knowledge and walk you through what to expect.
What is AHIP?
AHIP is a national trade association representing health insurance providers. Its mission is to advocate for policies that support a strong, consumer-focused healthcare system. Currently, AHIP represents around 1,300 companies that provide coverage to more than 200 million Americans.
For agents, AHIP certification proves they understand how to sell Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans in compliance with CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) guidelines. It ensures agents are equipped to offer plans that protect consumers and follow the latest regulatory standards.
The Test
The AHIP exam is typically available starting mid-June and can be accessed directly through the AHIP website. To take the exam, you must register on the site and use your National Producer Number (NPN) to log in. As of 2024, the cost of the exam is $175. While this may seem steep, the fee includes access to downloadable study guides designed to help you prepare for the exam content. Additionally, many insurance carriers offer a discounted AHIP rate for the following year—often around $125—as a reward for meeting certain performance benchmarks, such as writing a specific number of applications.
The exam consists of approximately 50 questions covering Medicare basics and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) training. You will have two hours to complete the exam and must score at least 90% to pass. The good news? You will have up to three attempts to get it right.
Keep in mind, that passing the AHIP exam is just one part of the certification process. Most Medicare Advantage carriers also require agents to complete their own product-specific training and exams each year, so be sure to stay on top of your carriers’ yearly AHIP requirements. These carrier certifications ensure that agents stay knowledgeable about plan details and remain compliant when selling. Stay tuned. We will be sharing a full recap of carrier certification requirements in an upcoming post!
If you are an MA agent looking for an easy-to-understand breakdown of the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap, check out our article: What’s The Difference Between Medigap and Medicare Advantage?
Agents
We hope that this information on AHIP has been useful to you.
Empower Brokerage is dedicated to helping you make informed decisions about your health and finances. Whether it’s through webinar training, one-on-one calls, seminars, or marketing plans, we want you to be successful!
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This article was updated 4/23/25.
