Do I Need A Medicare Insurance Agent Near Me
Home / FAQs / General Medicare / Do I Need a Medicare Insurance Agent Near Me
You should have the following available during your call: your Medicare card, preferred provider list, list of prescriptions you take regularly, and current health care information.
Many beneficiaries, new and old, wonder if they need a Medicare insurance agent to help them enroll in Medicare. They also wonder if they need to find a local agent. There are many benefits to working with a licensed Medicare agent, well go over why you need one and if you need to find one near you.
Q: How Do I Study For My Health Insurance License Exam In Delaware
Delaware does not require applicants to complete a prelicensing course but the likelihood of passing the exam will go up if you use one of the prelicensing courses.
We recommend using ExamFX for pre-licensing study.
Here is a list of all the topics covered in the exam:
Delaware Accident and Health Insurance Examination
115 Total Questions Time Limit: 135 Minutes
Passing score: 70%
- Health Policy Provisions, Clauses, and Riders
- Social Insurance
- Delaware Statutes, Regulations and Bulletins Pertinent to Life, Accident and Health, Property and Casualty Insurance
- Delaware Statutes, Rules, Regulations and Bulletins Common to Both Life and Health Insurance
- Delaware Statutes, Rules, Regulations and Bulletins Common to Both Life and Health Insurance
- Insurance Ethics
Agents: Independent Or Captive
You can now decide on which direction you want to take your career. 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. They have to know what plan works best for a person and their needs. They need to describe plans in great detail, tailoring their words to what a person wants.
A Medicare insurance agent also needs to be a good salesman and marketer. 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. Independent agents have terrific flexibility, but they have to train themselves on their own with some guidance.
Independent Agents reach out to potential clients on their own, without support from insurance companies. You will need a strong work ethic and independent streak to succeed as an Independent Agent. You will need an eye for marketing because you will be building your own brand within Medicare insurance.
You can also be a captive agent, partnering with one insurance company or agency and selling their plans. This company will provide you with training and internal support. You will be able to form connections within the industry and may receive leads.
Also Check: Can You Get Medicare Advantage Without Part B
Independent Agents For Assurance
If you prefer to work for yourself but appreciate strong support, consider working as an independent insurance agent for Assurance.
Seller support
âThe Assurance platform empowers you to sell insurance whenever, wherever, and however you want. With access to Assurance’s User Engagement specialist team to help you sort out any carrier issues you face, you’ll never have to figure things out on your own.
Most of the time, you’ll never even need to reach out to carrier reps. Instead, you’ll have access to a wide variety of training sessions made available each week to broaden your knowledge of how to sell Medicare.
Plus, Assurance will assign you a dedicated sales manager. Your sales manager will work closely with you to help you reach your sales goals.
Quality leads
âPerhaps most importantly, Assurance relieves you of the pressure to source leads. Instead, Assurance sends you pre-qualified leads. As a result, when you receive calls, you’ll be speaking with people who have already expressed interest in finding the right Medicare Advantage coverage.
These leads cost you nothing â you don’t have to worry about paying for marketing or other limits on your earning potential. Instead, you can focus entirely on what you do best, and that’s selling Medicare insurance.
Earning potential
You’ll also be part of Assurance’s lucrative commission structure, which enables you to earn year-round, not just during open enrollment.
Are You Ready To Learn How To Get Into Insurance Sales
Itâs one thing to read about how to become an insurance agent â itâs another to make it happen! Thatâs why weâve made it super simple to follow these steps to becoming a licensed insurance agent and to learn how to get appointed with health insurance companies. Even if your knowledge about the industry is limited or youâre not positive if this is your lifes calling, thatâs OK â all the more reason to give it a read! Plus, the guide is completely free, so you have nothing to lose.
Take a Look Inside This Book!
This is valuable information for any aspiring agent. Donât start your career without reading this first!
Results may vary based on individual user and are not guaranteed.
Don’t Miss: How Do I Get Dental And Vision Coverage With Medicare
Q: What Are The Licensing Steps In Minnesota
Step 1: Complete a pre-licensing course that has been approved by the Department of Insurance. Once you have completed your course, ExamFX will issue a certificate of completion which you may download and print from your online ExamFX account. Certificate population may be delayed by a short period time due to need for proctor validation.
Step 2: Schedule your exam with your states testing provider, Pearson VUE. The fastest way to schedule your exam is to do so online at . You can also schedule your exam over the phone at 273-1946. our exam may be taken at a physical Pearson VUE examination center or via a remote online proctored exam.
Exam Fee $39
To cancel or reschedule your exam appointment you must contact Pearson Vue at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment or forfeit your examination fee.
The state of Minnesota requires fingerprints accompany licensing applications. For additional information regarding fingerprinting methods please see the candidate handbook published by PearsonVUE.
Fingerprint Fee $67.25
Security measures are taken at the testing site. Restrictions on what you may bring with you to the testing center, into the testing room, and what you may wear will be enforced. For more detailed information about the security measures that will be taken during your testing appointment, please read and review the candidate bulletin.
License Fee $75
Why Choose An Insurance Career In Medicare Insurance
One of the biggest reasons to choose a career in Medicare insurance is that the Medicare insurance industry is booming! Approximately 10,000 people are turning 65 every day in the United States, so there is a tremendous need for agents to sell Medicare policies. Since there is no shortage of potential clients, the earning potential for an agent in this career is unlimited.
Also Check: How To Get A Lift Chair From Medicare
Q: How Do I Renew My Health Insurance License In Minnesota
You may renew your license no more than 90 days before its expiration date. If you try to renew more than 90 days prior to its expiration you will receive a message that states: The National Producer Database found your resident license but did not identify any licenses for renewal at this time. Please try again at a later date.
To process your renewal please visit Sircon.
Renewal Fees: Producer license renewal fees are $50 per line of authority plus the current technology surcharge of $25.
Who Is Eligible For Original Medicare
If youre a United States citizen or permanent legal resident for at least five consecutive years, you may be eligible for Medicare if you meet one or more of the following qualifications:
- You are 65 or older and are eligible for retirement benefits through Social Security
- You are 65 or older and are eligible for retirement benefits through the Railroad Retirement Board
- You have a disability and have been receiving disability benefits for at least 24 months
- You have ALS
- You have end-stage renal disease and require dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant
There may be other circumstances that make you eligible for Medicare not listed here.
Read Also: When Do Medicare Benefits Kick In
Complete Contracts And Start Selling Medicare
Youre almost at the finish line!
Now that you know what certifications and protections you need to become a successful Medicare agent, you need to get contracted and start making sales.
You must complete and sign a contract with each individual insurance company to be appointed to sell. Your upline can help with this.
As you approach and contract with multiple agencies, youll need a few things, including:
- A copy of your current health insurance license
- A copy of your E& O coverage
- Approved background check
- A completed legal questionnaire
Youll also need to pass the carriers annual certification exam.
It takes time and patience to get approved to sell Medicare through multiple agencies. Medicare, specifically, regulates this process closely.
Each carrier will require agents to go through different processes before approving them to sell Medicare.
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.
If a client thinks you’ve wronged them in some way, they could try to take you to court. For example, this might happen if a client discovers that a particular service isn’t covered and ends up having to pay out-of-pocket or if they identify a potentially better plan you didn’t mention.
E& O insurance â i.e., errors and omissions insurance â helps protect you from these lawsuits. It won’t stop a client from filing suit, but it can mitigate or eliminate your court costs and/or settlements.
Without adequate coverage, these costs can add up to millions of dollars. That’s part of why some carriers require you to have E& O before you can sell with them.
As an insurance agent, you know how important it is to help protect your clients’ finances. However, don’t underestimate the value of protecting yourself as well.
Read Also: Does Medicare Cover Full Body Scans
Q: What Are The Licensing Steps In Tennessee
Step 1: Complete a prelicensing course that has been approved by the Department of Insurance. Once you have completed your course, ExamFX will issue a certificate of completion which you may download and print from your online ExamFX account.
Step 2: Schedule your exam with your states testing provider, Pearson VUE. The fastest way to schedule your exam is to do so online at Pearson Vue. You can also schedule your exam over the phone at 274-4957.
**Exam fees must be paid at the time of reservation.
**To change or cancel your testing appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours in advance or forfeit the examination fee.
Exam Fee: $59
Step 3: Take and pass you state licensing exam. On the day of your appointment you must bring with you two valid forms of government issued identification , one of which must contain your photograph. You must also bring with you your certificate of completion. You will not be able to take your exam if these requirements are not met.
Once you have completed your examination you will be made aware of your results. Examination results may take up to three days to appear on the Tennessee Department of Insurances website.
Step 4: Apply for your license. Tennessee resident applicants must use the online application service at NIPR. Additional licensing application guidance may be accessed on the NIPR website.
Resident License Fee: $50
Ahip And Fwa Certifications
To sell Medicare Advantage plans, you’ll have to complete the America’s Health Insurance Plans 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.
AHIP Certification
AHIP certification is a requirement of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services . CMS Medicare rules and regulations are subject to change every year, so all agents who sell Medicare need to take the updated AHIP certification test annually.
AHIP Medicare training covers:
- âOptions for prescription drug coverageâ
âThe test costs $175, but many carriers offer a discounted rate of $125 when you take it through one of their portals.
AHIP allows only three attempts at the final exam, so it’s wise to invest some time preparing. There are many self-study AHIP courses out there, each of which focuses on improving the quality of agents’ work.
For more details on the AHIP certification, visit the AHIP website.
Fraud, waste, and abuse training
FWA training covers:
- âTools and industry practices for detecting Medicare fraud
- âThe human and financial cost of fraud, waste, and abuse
- Correct reporting procedures
âPreviously, agents had to take this training separately from the AHIP program, but AHIP now offers them both under the same umbrella.
You May Like: Why Is My First Medicare Bill So High
Pass Ahip & Individual Carrier Certifications
Once youve completed and passed your insurance license exam, youre not quite in the clear yet to begin selling. Licensed insurance agents are required to complete and pass an annual exam on the rules and regulations of selling Medicare plans as stated by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services . This test is called Americas Health Insurance Plan Certification. The cost of the test typically runs around $175, however, some insurance carriers, FMOs, and IMOs offer a discounted rate.
In order to begin selling Medicare plans, you will need to be appointed with various insurance carriers. Each insurance carrier requires insurance agents to complete an annual certification exam and a contract. Carrier certifications and contracts need to be completed for each carrier you wish to sell. For example, if you want to sell Medicare plans from Aetna, Blue Shield, and Cigna you will need to complete carrier certifications for each provider.
Agents partnered with AGA have access to a full list of insurance carrier certification guides, monthly carrier training courses, and continuous hands-on support.
Estimated Cost of AHIP Certification: $175
Becoming A Licensed Medicare Agent Apply For License
After passing the exam, apply for your license by completing an application at the National Insurance Producer Registry website.
Congratulations!
Most companies will require that you have an active Errors and Omissions Policy. As a matter of fact, Crowe and Associates offers its contracted agents E& O insurance at a very competitive rate. .
You May Like: What Does Part B Cover Under Medicare
Getting Contracted And Appointed
You have to get contracted with each carrier to get appointed to sell their products. Here is a checklist of what most insurance carriers require for you to become ready to sell:
- Copy of your current resident and non-resident state health insurance license
- Copy of your current E& O policy
- The complete legal questionnaire provided by the insurance company
- A background check
- They were passing carrier-specific annual certifications. This is specific to MA & MAPD plans, but more Medicare Supplements are also starting to implement annual certifications.
The time this will take is all dependent on how many insurance carriers you plan on getting contracted with. Because Medicare is highly regulated and many carriers have different processes to get an insurance agent ready to sell , you will need to be patient during this process. It can take some time to receive your approvals from each company. Most carriers require their certifications to be passed annually before that years Medicare annual election period .
Begin Contracting With Medicare Carriers
The next step is to begin contracting with Medicare plan carriers, such as UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, BCBS, etc. Some carriers allow you to contract directly with the plan rather than going through an FMO, or upline. But its generally best to take advantage of the extra layers of support you get when contracting through an FMO.
Some carriers wont allow you to offer competing plans if you contract directly to them. As an independent agent, you will want to have the ability to put your clients in the best-fit plan. Be careful not to leave any business on the table if the one product you offer wont work for them.
If youre brand new to the world of Medicare and dont know which carriers you should contract with, consider working with a partner. A marketer or new agent advisor with the FMO youve chosen can make suggestions based on their knowledge of your market.
Since every carrier has its own contracting process and required certifications, its best not to overwhelm yourself with too many contracts at first. Start with one to three of the big carriers, and then you can always add more later.
Don’t Miss: How To Compare Medicare Supplement Plans
Getting Licensed To Sell Medicare
Learning how to get a Medicare license is simple, but takes work to maintain each year in order to retain your residual income.
To become a Medicare insurance agent, you must first get a health insurance license in the state you currently live in . You can use the link below for WebCE to obtain your study material needed before you scheduled your insurance exam.
Aside from being a requirement, you will receive the fundamental training essential for you to understand how health insurance plans work, including Medicare.
Here are some of the important areas of study you will find in the health insurance license process:
- Deductibles
- Claims adjudication and how it affects health plan members access to care
- Networks such as PPO, HMO, and Fee-for-Service
- Healthcare laws
- Professional ethics and compliance
There are several vendors who offer health insurance license training, and many states may require specific hours of study prior to taking the health insurance exam. There are two potential requirements youll need to meet to get your health insurance license to sell Medicare.
