The countdown to Medicare certification begins: AHIP drops on June 24

Each year, the Association of Health Insurance Plans releases its Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training in June. If our calendars are right, that means it’s just around the corner. Here’s what health insurance agents need to know.

Why take AHIP training and certification?

Completing the training in June is the first step to being marked ready-to-sell Medicare products for the following plan year (in this case, plan year 2025). Over 100,000 agents take this training each year, and for good reason: it’s nearly universally accepted by carriers. While you certainly have other options, like PinPoint Global, they’re not as widely accepted, meaning you could be doubling your workload.

What does the AHIP exam cost?

Without any discount, AHIP has historically cost $175. That price includes the training and three chances to pass the exam with a 90% or better.

In the past, many national carriers, like Humana and UnitedHealthcare, have arranged $50 discounts when using their specialized registration links. However, due to new CMS rules about agent and broker compensation, those discounts are very much in doubt. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.

What are the best ways to prepare for AHIP 2025?

The exam itself is open-book – meaning you can use any resource you like to help get you across the finish line. You’ll still need to be mindful of your time, though, as you have a two-hour limit per attempt.

But here’s an insider tip: According to many of our staff, who also take the AHIP exam, the very best way to study is to look at the review questions in each module. They often mirror the exact questions you’ll find on the exam – down to the order of the answer choices. And if you get something wrong? You’ll often get an explainer of why your answer was wrong – and what you should have picked instead.

Saving these quizzes to your computer will help you generate your own exam study guide.

There are some other resources you might want to keep on hand, too:

• The latest edition of the Medicare & You handbook
• Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans
• Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods
• Medicare Marketing Guidelines
• Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (this part deals with nondiscrimination)
• Medicare Fraud & Abuse: Prevent, Detect Report

Don’t bother printing all of these – you’ll end up killing a small forest if you do. But they are handy to review and take notes from – especially when you’re trying to figure out why a suggested answer from the review questions is the right one.

Frequently asked questions about AHIP

Is there a deadline to take AHIP each year?

This year’s exam will be released on June 24, 2024. While there is no official deadline to complete the exam, some carriers will require you to pass the exam before you begin contracting.

However, each carrier may have its own deadlines for being marked ready-to-sell to either write new business or collect renewal commissions. Our individual team can help you review deadlines for each. 

Do I have to take the 2024 AHIP after the 2025 AHIP is released?

If you want to sell 2024 Medicare Advantage plans or 2024 Prescription drug plans after the 2025 test is released, you typically won’t need to take both exams. The vast majority of carriers will accept the 2025 exam as your core certification for selling 2024 products.

What is the AHIP exam like?

There have consistently been 50 questions on the final exam, and we have no indication that will change this year. Each of your three exam attempts is timed – you’ll have two hours to complete each one.

How long does certification take?

Depending on your state, you can earn up to six continuing education credits for completing the training and exam. And if it’s your first time, it can easily take every bit of those six hours to navigate. With some experience under your belt though, it’s entirely possible to shave that down to two hours.

What are you waiting for?

Taking the AHIP is a significant investment, but one that can yield huge rewards for your business. You’ll have a widely accepted core certification under your belt, which can greatly expand your access to Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug products. And, when you have a larger menu to offer your beneficiaries, you’ll be better equipped to meet every need.