AHIP, which stands for America’s Health Insurance Plans, is a national trade association representing health insurance providers. Every year, insurance agents must take the AHIP certification exam to verify they are eligible to sell Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) during the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period. With the exam opening to the public in the next few months, thousands of agents are preparing to receive or renew their certifications. Whether this is your first or your 50th time taking the test, Empower Brokerage is dedicated to ensuring you are prepared.
Sherri Miller, the lead compliance officer of Empower Brokerage, has prepared a brief video overview of AHIP certification below (as well as all of her expert tips on how to pass the test). Watch or keep reading for more information.
AHIP Recertification
If you have already taken the AHIP exam and earned your certification, you might wonder why it is necessary to get recertified every year. The answer is in the industry nature. The federal government heavily regulates Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans, which means there are strict rules agents must understand before they can ethically and legally sell these plans to consumers.
As the healthcare landscape evolves and CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) introduces new compliance regulations, the government requires agents to stay current on those updates. Annual recertification ensures that you are up-to-date on any changes in guidelines, policies, and marketing rules. Successfully passing the AHIP exam each year serves as proof that you remain compliant and fully informed when working with Medicare beneficiaries.
The AHIP Test
The AHIP exam consists of two primary training modules: Medicare and Fraud and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA). Registration costs up to $175, but some carriers offer discounted rates—so it is worth checking with your uplines or partners before paying the full fee. The exam includes approximately 50 questions, and you will have two hours to complete it. To pass, you must score at least 90% and you are allowed up to three attempts. It is important to note that each attempt presents a different set of questions, and the system will not tell you which questions you missed. So, accuracy matters—read each question carefully and take your time.
To begin, you will need to register for both the training modules and the exam through the AHIP website or a carrier’s access portal. Be sure to have your National Producer Number (NPN) on hand, as you will need it during the login process.
AHIP and Carrier Certifications
Remember, earning your basic AHIP certification is just the first step—after that, you will need to complete certifications for each of the individual carriers you plan to represent. Every insurance company has its own AHIP requirements, and it is crucial to complete them all before AEP begins in October. Failing to do so means you won’t be eligible to sell that carrier’s products during the enrollment season.
At Empower, we strongly recommend completing your AHIP and carrier certifications by July of each year. Giving yourself a head start ensures you are fully prepared when the busy season hits. The more time you have to organize your contracts, marketing, and leads, the more confident and successful you will be when AEP rolls around.
Not sure where to start? Reach out to your assigned RSD. We are here to help you stay on track and ready to sell!
At Empower Brokerage, we focus on more than just AHIP exams, and that is because agents and clients alike need to complete health exams to sell or secure insurance (including life insurance). Want to help your clients feel confident and prepared for their big tests? Read our article on how to navigate insurance health exams by clicking here.
Agents
We hope that this information on AHIP certification 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!
Give us a call at 888-539-1633 or leave a comment below if you have any questions.
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This article was updated on 4/24/25.
