The AEP Insurance Agent Checklist

Are You Prepared?

With the Annual Enrollment Period getting closer by the day, if you haven’t already started to prepare, now is the time. Set yourself up for a successful AEP by following our 5-step checklist. 

1. Contract with A-Rated Carriers

CareValue offers top contracts with the products and brands clients trust most. The sooner you get contracted, the better to avoid processing delays with carriers—which can sometimes take several weeks. You can’t become certified and ready to sell for a specific carrier until you’ve completed the contracting process. So don’t delay!

Make sure you build a portfolio with different plan options to meet the diverse health and budget needs of your clients, including Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, and ancillary products like dental and vision. If you carry other products like final expense or life, remember that CMS doesn’t allow promotion of non-health related products when discussing Medicare plans. But that gives you a perfect opportunity to make a follow-up visit.

2. Complete AHIP and Medicare Certifications

Once you’re contracted with our top carriers, next is the certification process. Just like being contracted, you also have to be certified before you can sell for a carrier, by completing and passing the CMS compliance training. One of the most common compliance training methods is the AHIP course, although some carriers accept the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) certification.

As soon as you complete the compliance training, the next step is completing the 2022 product certifications for each carrier you are contracted with to sell their products, including Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans. Much of the certifications can be done online, but some carriers may also require face-to-face training.

CareValue keeps all of our carrier partners’ requirements up-to-date on our website so you can easily access the information—all in one convenient place. And anytime during the process, you can verify your status with each carrier.

3. Order Your Carrier Supplies

After passing your AHIP, completing your carrier certification, and getting your agent writing number, it’s time to order your carrier supplies including enrollment kits for 2022.

At CareValue, we make it easy for our independent agencies and brokers to order everything they need to be successful, directly from our MEDICARE AGENT RESOURCE CENTER, otherwise known as MARC. Click on any of the carrier logos to find their specific sales collateral. Most carriers allow you to pre-order.

4. Do Your Homework on the Carriers You’re Appointed With

Don’t wait until you are in front of a client before you look at each carrier’s plan information. Well before AEP starts, get familiar with their online tools, how to submit new business, technical support, contact information, etc.

Our carrier partners offer a wide range of webinars and many other on-demand tools that can help you become familiar with their products. Also, CareValue has a wide variety of on-demand training resources and events to help you be successful!

5. Go Get Those Leads!

There are several ways you can find new clients. From networking digital or direct mail, social media, websites, and community events and education seminars, there are a variety of marketing and outreach strategies you may find helpful in getting new leads.

CareValue’s lead generation management programs can also help you build new relationships and get agent referrals.

Get prepared for AEP with CareValue. We can help you stay compliant, find the right products, and take the complex and time-consuming work out of finding qualified leads. 

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