AHIP Certification FAQ — everything you need to sell Medicare in 2027.

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.

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)

• 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.

The Medicare core covers 5 modules:

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.

• 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.

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