✅ Action Plan: How to Sell Medicare Advantage Plans
🧾 1. Get Licensed (If Not Already)
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Must have a state health insurance license.
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This allows the agent to legally sell Medicare-related products.
📚 2. Complete AHIP Certification
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AHIP (America’s Health Insurance Plans) is required by most carriers.
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Covers Medicare basics, compliance, fraud, and marketing rules.
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Cost: ~$175 (often reimbursed by carriers once you’re contracted).
🔑 Tip: Take your time — passing score is 90%.
🤝 3. Contract with Medicare Advantage Carriers
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Choose which companies to represent (e.g., Aetna, Humana, UHC, WellCare).
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You’ll partner directly with our team — your personal support hub for contracting, training, and long-term success
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Each carrier will require additional certifications (usually online and free).
🔑 Start with 2–3 core carriers based on your region’s strongest plans.
📖 4. Learn the Plans & Market
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Understand:
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Monthly premiums
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Doctor networks
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Drug formularies
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Extra benefits (dental, vision, OTC)
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Know how each plan compares to Original Medicare and Med Supps.
🔍 Study what’s available in your target zip codes. Local knowledge = strong sales.
💬 5. Practice Your Presentation
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Be ready to explain:
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What Medicare Advantage is
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The pros and cons
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The enrollment process
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Use tools like:
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Scope of Appointment forms (required before discussing plans)
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Plan comparison tools from carriers or Medicare.gov
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📆 6. Understand Enrollment Periods
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AEP (Annual Enrollment Period): Oct 15 – Dec 7
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OEP (Open Enrollment Period): Jan 1 – Mar 31
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SEP (Special Enrollment Periods): For qualifying life events (moving, loss of coverage, etc.)
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ICEP (Initial Coverage Election Period): When a person is first eligible for Medicare
🔑 Enrollment timing matters — know your windows!
📣 7. Start Prospecting & Marketing
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Create your lead strategy: referrals, community events, direct mail, social media, seminars, etc.
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Follow CMS-compliant marketing rules (no misleading info, no “bait and switch”).
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Get branded materials through your carrier or FMO.
🧾 8. Meet With Clients & Collect Scope of Appointment
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Must complete Scope of Appointment form at least 48 hours in advance (CMS rule).
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Go over plan options clearly.
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Be transparent about copays, networks, and prescription coverage.
🖊️ 9. Enroll Clients Ethically & Accurately
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Use approved enrollment tools (paper, online, or carrier apps).
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Confirm:
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Provider participation
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Drug coverage
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Client understanding
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Submit the application and follow up to confirm acceptance.
🧠 10. Stay Updated
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Medicare rules and plans change every year.
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Renew your certifications annually (including AHIP and carrier trainings).
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Stay in touch with your upline or FMO for news, compliance, and leads.
🎯 Quick Checklist for New Agents:
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✅ State License
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✅ AHIP Certification
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✅ Carrier Contracts & Trainings
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✅ Learn Local Plans
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✅ Understand Compliance
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✅ Have a Marketing Plan
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✅ Practice Presentations
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✅ Enroll Clients with Confidence
You can sell Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans during specific enrollment periods, with the main window being the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).
✅ Key Selling Timeframes:
1. Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
📅 October 15 – December 7 (every year)
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You can enroll, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage plans.
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Your clients’ new coverage will begin January 1 of the following year.
2. Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
📅 January 1 – March 31
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Only for existing Medicare Advantage enrollees.
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They can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan).
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You can only market one-to-one (no mass advertising allowed).
3. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
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Starts 3 months before the month a client turns 65, includes the birthday month, and ends 3 months after.
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New beneficiaries can choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
4. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)
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Available for certain qualifying events, such as:
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Moving out of a plan’s service area
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Losing current coverage
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Gaining eligibility for Medicaid or Extra Help
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Living in or moving into/out of an institution (like a nursing home)
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If you’re a licensed agent, you must also follow CMS marketing guidelines and complete AHIP certification or equivalent each year before selling.
Let's plan it together.
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