Start a Medicare Insurance Business

Ten thousand Americans turn 65 every day and most find plan selection confusing, yet few agents build a Medicare-only book with renewals.

1. 1

   Get your health insurance license

   Pass your state's health insurance licensing exam. Prep course, exam, and fees typically total under $500 and take a few weeks.

2. 2

   Complete AHIP certification

   The annual AHIP certification (about $175) is required before any carrier will appoint you to sell Medicare Advantage or Part D plans.

3. 3

   Contract with carriers through an FMO

   A good FMO gets you appointed with multiple carriers, offers E&O insurance, and pays full street-level commissions. Interview two or three before you sign.

4. 4

   Learn CMS marketing rules cold

   Medicare sales are tightly regulated: scope of appointment forms, no cold door-knocking, approved materials. Following the rules is a moat because sloppy agents wash out.

5. 5

   Build a senior-facing pipeline

   Run plan-review workshops at senior centers and libraries, partner with pharmacies, and work turning-65 lists. Education-first marketing converts best with this audience.

6. 6

   Enroll and keep clients

   First-year commissions run roughly $600 per Medicare Advantage enrollment, with renewals near half that every year the client stays. Service is the real business.