How much does AHIP cost?

The standard fee is about $175, but many FMOs and carriers provide a discount link that saves roughly $50, and some reimburse it after you certify and produce. Ask your upline before paying full price.

Is the AHIP exam hard?

It's open book but timed and detailed, with a limited number of attempts. Agents who study the Medicare and compliance modules and keep the material open during the test generally pass comfortably.

When should I complete AHIP for AEP?

AHIP for the new plan year usually opens in late June. Certify in the summer so you have time for each carrier's product modules before the Annual Enrollment Period begins October 15.

AHIP Certification: The Medicare Agent's Guide

If you want to sell Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, AHIP certification is your annual ticket to the field. Here's everything a Medicare agent needs to know.

What is AHIP?

AHIP (America's Health Insurance Plans) offers the industry-standard training most carriers require before they'll let you sell their Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) and Prescription Drug (PDP) plans. It covers Medicare basics, marketing rules, and fraud, waste & abuse compliance. You renew it every year.

Why you need it

Carriers won't release you to sell their Medicare plans for the upcoming plan year until they see a passing AHIP plus their own product certifications. No AHIP, no MA/PDP commissions — full stop. It's the gate to the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs October 15–December 7.

How to pass the AHIP exam

It's open book, but timed and detailed — preparation matters.
You get a limited number of attempts (commonly up to three), so don't wing it.
Study the Medicare module closely: eligibility, the parts (A, B, C, D), enrollment periods, and the marketing do's and don'ts that trip people up.
Keep the training material open and use the search function during the exam.
The compliance/FWA sections are points you shouldn't lose — read carefully.

What it costs (and how to save)

The standard AHIP fee is around $175. Many carriers and FMOs offer a discount link that knocks roughly $50 off, and some reimburse the fee once you certify and produce. Always ask your upline for their discount link before you pay full price.

Timeline tips for AEP

AHIP for the new plan year typically opens in late June.
Certify early (summer) so you have time for each carrier's product modules before October.
Don't leave it to September — testing bottlenecks and carrier deadlines stack up right before AEP.

After AHIP

AHIP is necessary but not sufficient. You'll also complete per-carrier product certifications for each plan you intend to sell. Then you're cleared, and the only thing between you and a great AEP is a full pipeline of appointments.

Bridgepoint's training walks new Medicare agents through AHIP, carrier certs, and a proven sales process — and we provide a discount link plus the leads to put your certification to work.