With each decade that passes, Americans are living longer, and over the next few years, the number of people age 65 and over will increase substantially. As the elderly population increases, so also does the need for Medicare experts. This course provides producers with a thorough orientation to Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, exploring the basics of the Medicare program, the details of MA and Part D plans, and the standards associated with marketing these plans. Producers will learn what they must do in order to clearly, accurately, and appropriately explain these plans to consumers so they can make informed decisions about their health care.

For Texas producers, this course also provides the eight hours of Medicare-related products certification training required to market and sell Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans, and/or stand-alone Prescription Drug plans.

Upon conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• understand the history, purpose, and evolution of the Medicare program
• explain the benefits and limits of the Medicare program
• describe how Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans operate and the benefits they offer
• understand the sales and marketing issues associated with the introduction of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D
• describe how to properly present, explain, and represent a Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D plan in accordance with federal and Texas requirements