2018 Certification Reminder

It’s that time of year again when you need to complete your annual certifications.  There are two certifications for Health agents:

  • 2018 FFM (Federally Facilitated Marketplace) registration and/or certification must be done by:
  1. Independent agent
  2. If commissions are paid to an agency, writing sub-agents and principal of agency
  • 2018 Medicare PDP/Medicare Advantage certification must be done by:
  1. Independent agent
  2. If commissions are paid to an agency, writing sub-agents and principal of agency

 

In order to place new business effective 1/1/2018 and/or receive renewal commissions in 2018, agents must complete the appropriate certification before the end of the year. 

2018 FFM (Federally Facilitated Marketplace) Certification

Before starting any certification curriculum, check to make sure your computer is compatible with the MLMS website.   I advise using the MLMS Check Your System configuration link which quickly shows if you need to do anything.  Log into the CMS portal, enter the MLMS Training website and click on MLMS Check your System link at the top of the page under How to Get Started.  This will check your computer to see if there is any action you need to do to prepare your computer.

Prevent Certification Headache

Preparing Your Computer for the MLMS

  1. Use Chrome or Firefox web browser
  2. Enable Javascript
  3. Download the latest version of Adobe Flash
  4. Allow Pop-Up windows
  5. Use the MLMS Check Your System configuration link
  6. Sometimes it is necessary to clear your internet cache
  7. Issues with network or firewall interference

For detailed instructions, click here

Agents completing this certification for the first time or who did not complete this certification in 2017, must complete the full Individual Marketplace training for 2018.

  1. Create an account on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Enterprise Portal (If you already have an account, do not create another one)
  2. Request the Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Agent/Broker Role (If not done already)
  3. Complete remote identity proofing (If not done already)
  4. Complete Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS) profile
  5. Complete training through the MLMS or a CMS approved vendor (If using a CMS vendor, you must access the vendor’s training via the CMS portal and after completion, complete the applicable agreements in MLMS)
  6. Execute the applicable agreements on the MLMS
  7. Confirm registration status and print certificate

For detailed instructions, click here

Agents and Brokers who completed the FFM certification in 2017 are eligible to take the shorter Refresher Course.

  1. Update your MLMS profile
  2. Complete Refresher Training through the MLMS or a CMS approved vendor (If using a CMS vendor, you must access the vendor’s training via the CMS portal and after completion, complete the applicable agreements in MLMS)
  3. Execute the applicable agreements on the MLMS
  4. Confirm registration status and print certificate

 

For detailed instructions, click here

CMS created a training webinar for more details.  To view this webinar, click here.

If you have any problems logging into the CMS portal, technical issues or any other questions, use the CMS contact list, click here.

Patty’s Helpful Hints

  1. At the Agent Broker Registration page, when trying to open the MLMS training, click on the yellow “MLMS” button in the top left corner and click on “Training”.
  2. After entering the MLMS Training system, use the “Current Learning” link under the head on the left of the page, to access the courses.
  3. To print your certificate of completion, click on the “Curriculum Status” link under the head on the left of the page. If you see 100% completed by the title of the curriculum, then click on Actions in the right to print certificate.

2018 Medicare PDP/Medicare Advantage Certification

 

For BCBS IL, 2018 MAPD/PDP certification training has two parts.  Both parts must be completed by:

  1. If independent agent, the agent completes both parts
  2. If an agency receives commissions, all writing sub-agents and the principal of the agency must complete both parts.

Part 1: The AHIP platform will be used for the following courses/exams/forms.

  • Medicare Basics
  • Medicare marketing Rules and Regulations
  • Final Exam
  • Non-Discrimination Training
  • Fraud, Waste and Abuse/General Compliance Attestation
  • FWA Exam

Part 2:  The HCSC/CMP page on the AHIP platform will be used for the following courses/exams/forms.

  • Sales Agent Requirements course
  • MAPD/PDP Product course and exam
  • Producer or Agency Certification form
  • Producer or agency Amendment (this doesn’t apply to Sub-agents)

Agents contracted with BCBS IL can access the AHIP website certification training via this designated HCSC/AHIP discounted link by clicking here.

For AHIP

User ID:  10-digit National Producer Number (NPN).  Add zeroes in front to create a 10-digit number

Password is created during intial registration.

To access the HCSC/CMP page on the AHIP website, click here.

New users must register their NPN using the “Create a New Account,” field on the homepage.

Upon successful completion, producers will receive a completion certificate via the HCSC/CMP site and within 2-3 business days, a congratulatory email to the email on file with Producer Administration.

If you have not received this confirmation, email your full name and NPN along with your question to:  bcmrxcertification@bcbsil.com .

Important Dates for the 2018 MAPD/PDP annual certification:

  • June 19, 2017 – 2018 AHIP Course opens for producers
  • July 5, 2017 – 2018 HCSC Certification opens for producers
  • December 24, 2017 – 2018 HCSC Certification will close for sub producers at 11:59 p.m.
  • December 31, 2017 – 2018 HCSC Certification will close for all individual producers and agency principles
  • January 2, 2018 – 2018 Certification will reopen for Feb. 2018 effective dates and beyond

Important Deadline Notice:  To retain all renewals, producers/agencies must complete all parts of the certification by December 31, 2017.

For more information, use the BCBS IL Producer Resource Page by clicking here.

If the Certification associated with your book of business is not completed by the end of year due date, producers will lose any currently placed business effective January 1, 2018.  Once the clock strikes 12:01 a.m., January 1, 2018, if the certification is not done, there is nothing that MIBS can do to get that business back.

 

Please, please, complete all parts of the required certification and confirm that you and your agency (if a sub agent) are all complete well before the end of the year.