Beyond the Checkbox: A Medicare Certification Built for Agents

In this episode of The Benefits Brief, host David Saltzman sits down with Mike Smith, president emeritus of The Brokerage Inc. and a longtime leader in the Medicare marketplace, to discuss why annual Medicare certification should be more than simply checking a box. Mike shares the story behind NABIP’s Medicare Certification and how experienced agents, agencies and FMOs helped shape a course grounded in the real-world situations Medicare professionals encounter every day. He explores how the program emphasizes practical knowledge, compliance and suitable plan recommendations while providing a straightforward certification experience designed for working agents. Mike also discusses the program’s growing carrier and FMO acceptance and how NABIP members can help expand its reach.