To sell Medicare products during the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you need to be “ready-to-sell” (RTS) with carriers beforehand. But what exactly does that mean?
To achieve RTS status, agents must fulfill several requirements each year. Here’s what you need to do to be ready-to-sell a carrier’s Medicare products:
Contracted to Sell Medicare Plans
First and foremost, you need to be contracted with carriers to sell their Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medicare Supplement plans. Without these contracts, you won’t have any products to offer!
However, simply contracting with carriers isn’t enough. There are additional requirements you must meet before you’re officially ready-to-sell.
Certified to Sell Medicare Advantage & Part D Plans
While contracting with a carrier might be a one-time process, certification is an annual requirement, especially for those selling Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Most carriers don’t require certification for Medicare Supplement plans, but Medicare Advantage and Part D certifications are mandatory. These certifications typically include Medicare training and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) training, along with carrier-specific product training.
Medicare and FWA Training
Acceptable Medicare and FWA training is often provided by third parties, such as America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Pinpoint, Sentinel Elite, and the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP). AHIP’s certification is widely accepted, but NABIP’s certification is also gaining recognition among carriers.
Carrier-Specific Product Training
In addition to general Medicare and FWA training, many carriers require agents to complete annual product-specific training. These trainings focus on the carrier’s specific plans, including any updates like new plans, service area expansions, or new features.
Simplify Your Ready-to-Sell Process
Now that you understand what it means to be ready-to-sell, it’s time to get started! We’re here to make the process as easy as possible for both new and returning Medicare agents. By creating a free profile on our site, you gain access to our online contracting tool and certification center, which provides details, dates, requirements, and links for major Medicare Advantage and Part D carriers’ certification trainings. Our licensing and administrative support teams are also available to assist you every step of the way and advocate on your behalf with carriers.
Already contracted through Essential Care? You can easily check your RTS status with each carrier in the Connect4Insurance Platforms. Just log in and follow the instructions to confirm you’re ready to go. Remember, even if your status says “Appointed,” you still need to complete the necessary certifications to be considered RTS for the current or upcoming plan year.
Final Thoughts
The RTS process may seem like just another task, but it’s an essential step to ensure you’re fully prepared when AEP begins. It’s your opportunity to get organized and maximize your commission potential during the busy season. If you don’t receive an RTS confirmation from your carriers after completing all requirements, it’s wise to follow up and confirm your status to avoid any surprises when AEP starts.
GET CONTRACTED WITH ESSENTIAL CARE INSURANCE AGENCY
For more information, please contact our office at 347-971-3399 or send an email to rdashevskyy@essentialcare.info.
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