How to Become a Health Insurance Broker

Health insurance brokers are a valuable resource for many consumers. Essentially, a health insurance broker is a professional who is authorized to represent several different health insurance carriers. The broker may be authorized to write policies for traditional and alternative health coverage. Becoming a health insurance broker requires several basic steps in order to obtain all the credentials required. Read on to learn how to become a health insurance broker.

Things You'll Need

• Carrier authorizations
• Legal credentials
• Certification

Instructions

1. Investigate the requirements set by the local jurisdiction. Many states, parishes and other municipal jurisdictions have specific requirements that must be met in order to offer insurance to consumers. Know the requirements and make sure to comply before setting up your brokerage.

2. Assess the quality and types of policies offered by various health insurance carriers authorized to issue policies in your jurisdiction. As a broker, you want to offer only the best coverage possible.

3. Apply for permission to represent the carriers of your choice. Many of them will have specific criteria you must meet in order to receive authorization to sell their policies. Comply with all requirements, but be prepared for the process to take several months or longer with some carriers.

4. Look into alternative health insurance coverage along with traditional health plans. This emerging type of health coverage is becoming more popular and may appeal to customers who prefer to try homeopathic treatments for various types of illnesses. As with traditional carriers, most alternative health insurance carriers have basic criteria you must meet before you can write policies.

5. Advertise your business. Once you are authorized to represent several different health carriers, spread the word that you are ready and able to help people secure health insurance benefits. Take out an ad in the newspaper, print business cards, and join the local chamber of commerce to start. You can also consider setting up a website as another way to publicize your brokerage.

Tips & Warnings

• After setting up your business, always be on the lookout for new health coverage to add to your offerings. The wider range of coverage you can access, the easier it will be to serve a more diverse client base.

• Don’t waste time becoming an agent for any company that you do not trust, no matter how popular the coverage may be. It is your reputation that is on the line. Only work with carriers that you can sell with confidence, even if it means passing up on a sale.