What it actually is
A self-paced online course (5 modules) plus a 50-question final exam. You need 90% to pass. You get three attempts; fail all three and you wait until the next cycle.
AHIP, decoded
AHIP — built for agents who do the work. Not just a box to check.
Everything you need to certify, re-certify, and stay compliant — without re-reading the same carrier marketing you've seen a hundred times.
Your track
You're getting credentialed for the first time.
AHIP is the certification carriers require before you can sell Medicare Advantage and Part D in most contracts. Pass it once and most carriers accept it — saving you from retaking carrier-specific Medicare modules.
How to order it
Most agents go through their FMO/IMO at a discounted rate ($125 vs $175 direct). Ask your upline for the AHIP link before you pay full price on ahipmedicaretraining.com.
Time investment
Plan 8–14 hours over 3–5 days if Medicare is brand new to you. The modules build on each other — don't skip ahead.
After you pass
Your certificate auto-uploads to participating carriers within 24–48 hours. Then you start each carrier's product training (UHC, Humana, Aetna, WellCare, etc.) — those are quick once AHIP is done.
Why carriers require it
CMS holds carriers liable for agent compliance. AHIP is the industry's shared baseline so they don't each have to train you on the same federal rules.
Fast-track study plan
5-day plan
Compliance — where commissions get clawed back
The pitfalls AHIP tests on — and audits punish.
TPMO disclaimer must be read verbatim
CMS requires the third-party marketing disclaimer within the first minute of every Medicare call and on all marketing materials. Paraphrasing — even a single word — is a finding.
Scope of Appointment is product-line specific
An MA SOA does not cover Part D or Med Supp. If the conversation drifts, stop and document a new SOA before discussing the new product line.
The 48-hour SOA wait is gone (effective June 1, 2026)
CMS's CY2027 Final Rule permanently eliminated the 48-hour waiting period. Agents can collect an SOA and move into the personal marketing meeting the same day. The signed SOA itself is still mandatory — in-person meetings require a written SOA; telephonic/virtual may use electronic or audio signatures.
Recording retention is now 6 years
The CY2027 Final Rule reduced sales and marketing call-recording retention from 10 years to 6 years. Every marketing, sales, and enrollment call must still be recorded in full and retrievable on audit — a missing recording is treated as if the call never happened.
Unsolicited contact rules are strict
No cold calling, no door knocking, no unsolicited texts or emails. A prior business relationship doesn't reset just because the prospect filled out a generic web form — verify lead provenance.
Marketing materials need CMS filing
Anything that mentions specific plan benefits — flyers, landing pages, social posts — must be filed through HPMS by the carrier before use. 'Generic' Medicare education is fine; specifics aren't.
Money & retention
Why timing your AHIP is a revenue decision.
Ready-to-Sell date math
AHIP delay → carrier cert delay → RTS delay. Every week you push AHIP past mid-August costs you 1–2% of your potential AEP book based on lead flow distribution data most FMOs publish.
Mid-year cert lapses kill SEP commissions
If your AHIP expires June 30 and you re-cert July 5, any SEP enrollments written in that gap can be reversed. Set a calendar alert 30 and 7 days before expiration.
Retention is the real game
First-year commissions are roughly half of renewal-year commissions over a 6-year horizon. Staying continuously certified and contactable is the single biggest predictor of retention.
Resources
The links worth bookmarking.
AHIP Medicare Training Portal
The official course and exam.
CMS Medicare Communications & Marketing Guidelines
The actual rules behind every exam question on marketing/compliance.
NIPR — License lookup & renewals
Verify your state licenses are current before carriers will appoint you.
Medicare.gov Plan Finder
The same tool beneficiaries see — know it cold for client conversations.
SHIP — State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Free unbiased counseling resource you can refer dual-eligible or complex cases to.
CMS Medicare Learning Network
Authoritative explainers when an exam question doesn't make sense.
FAQ
What agents actually ask about AHIP.
How much does AHIP cost?+
$175 retail at ahipmedicaretraining.com, or $125 through most FMO/IMO discount links. Always ask your upline before paying full price.
How many times can I take the final?+
Three attempts per cycle. Fail all three and you have to wait until the next plan year — there is no appeal.
Is AHIP required to sell Med Supp?+
No. AHIP covers Medicare Advantage and Part D. Med Supp (Medigap) certifications are carrier-specific and don't require AHIP.
Does AHIP transfer between carriers?+
Yes — passing AHIP once satisfies the Medicare-knowledge requirement for nearly every participating carrier. You'll still complete each carrier's product-specific training.
When does AHIP open each year?+
Late June for the upcoming plan year. The earlier you certify, the earlier you're Ready-to-Sell when October 15 hits.
What's the passing score?+
90%. The exam is 50 questions, so you can miss no more than 5.
Do my CE credits cover AHIP?+
No — AHIP is a separate carrier requirement, not a state CE credit. Your state CE hours still need to be completed on their own schedule.
Can I take AHIP on my phone?+
Technically yes, but the modules and exam interface are far easier on a desktop or laptop. Use the bigger screen.
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