AHIP Certification FAQ — everything you need to sell Medicare in 2027.
The 2027 AHIP Medicare + FWA training opens late June 2026. Here’s how it works, what it costs, what’s on the exam, and how IHA agents save $50 every year.
Six things every agent asks about AHIP.
Tap any card to expand. Sources: AHIP, CMS, Ritter Insurance Marketing, Senior Market Sales, NABIP.
What is AHIP Certification?
AHIP Certification is the industry-standard Medicare training administered by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). It proves you understand CMS rules for selling Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during the current or upcoming plan year.
The certification has two bundled components, sold together as the Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (MFWA) Online Training:
- Medicare core training — MA, Part D, eligibility, marketing, enrollment
- Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) — CMS-required compliance module
It exists because CMS requires agents selling MA/Part D to be trained annually on program rules and FWA, and carriers contractually require AHIP (or NABIP) before granting Ready-to-Sell status.
How do I get AHIP certified?
The process takes 5–8 hours total and looks like this:
- Go to ahipmedicaretraining.com — but don’t log in directly
- Use a carrier discount link (UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Wellcare, Cigna) accessed through that carrier’s broker portal or your FMO/upline — saves $50
- Each new cycle opens in late June for the upcoming plan year (2027 cycle expected late June 2026)
- Complete 5 modules + FWA + final exam
- Transmit your completion to each contracted carrier (automatic if you start from a carrier link)
What are the benefits of getting AHIP certified?
- Required by virtually all MA/MAPD/PDP carriers as a prerequisite for appointment and Ready-to-Sell (RTS) status
- Unlocks the ability to legally market and enroll Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7)
- One certification is recognized industry-wide — Aetna, Humana, UHC, Wellcare, Cigna, Anthem all accept it
- Satisfies the CMS annual training mandate on Medicare program rules and marketing compliance
- Without AHIP (or NABIP equivalent), you cannot get RTS with most carriers — period
Many carriers also require their own product certification on top of AHIP — but AHIP is the universal first step.
What to expect from the AHIP Medicare Training
The Medicare core covers 5 modules:
- Medicare program basics — Choices, Eligibility, Benefits
- Medicare Health Plans (MA)
- Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage
- Marketing of MA and Part D plans
- Enrollment guidance for MA and Part D
Time investment: 5–8 hours total (modules + exam).
Exam: 50 questions randomly drawn from all 5 modules · 2-hour time limit · 90% required to pass · 3 attempts included. The exam is open-book — keep your workbook open.
If you don’t pass within 3 attempts, you must repurchase for 3 more. Most agents pass on attempt 1 or 2.
What to expect from the AHIP Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) Training
- CMS-required compliance module on identifying, preventing, and reporting Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse
- Time investment: 1–2 hours
- Bundled with the Medicare core in AHIP’s MFWA package — there’s no separate purchase
- Some carriers (historically including UnitedHealthcare) accept AHIP FWA in lieu of their proprietary FWA training
Note: Per a CMS rule effective Jan 1, 2016, FDRs of Medicare plan sponsors are directed to use CMS-published FWA training materials. Carrier acceptance of AHIP FWA varies year to year — confirm with each carrier’s certification team annually.
How do I prepare for the AHIP Certification?
Field-tested prep tips from agents who’ve done this 5+ times:
- Download and study the workbook before starting any timed module
- Take detailed notes on enrollment periods (AEP, OEP, SEPs) and marketing rules — these are the most-missed exam topics
- Always start from a carrier discount link to drop the price from $175 to $125
- Block 2 dedicated sessions — one for modules, one for the exam (don’t try to do it all in one sitting)
- Review module quizzes carefully — many final-exam questions mirror them word-for-word
- Allow time between attempts if you don’t pass; review weak sections before retrying
- Keep the workbook open during the exam — it’s open-book and time is generous if you’ve prepped
$125
$175
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