Why Offer Licensed Health Agent Training?

When patients don’t understand their insurance policies or have difficulty using them, it can have negative consequences — both for them and the providers they work with. This appears to be a major issue as, while the 2022 U.S. Census found that more than 92% of Americans had health insurance at some point during the year.¹ A survey conducted in 2022 also revealed that people were confused about their policies.²

Healthcare providers can help solve this problem by offering staff health insurance agent training, preparing them to assist patients with their questions or concerns. Completing a health agent training program also provides an opportunity for individuals working outside the healthcare industry, such as those in retail customer service representative positions, to earn additional income as a Licensed Health Agent during open enrollment periods.

Impacts of Poor Health Insurance Understanding or Utilization

A 2021 review of 21 studies involving 62,416 subjects found that people with greater health insurance literacy were more likely to utilize both preventive services and primary care, while those with lower literacy had a greater tendency to either delay care or avoid it altogether.³

Delaying or avoiding care can allow serious health conditions to progress, potentially making them harder to treat. Not engaging in primary or preventive care also has negative consequences since physical or psychological issues cannot be adequately treated until they are first diagnosed.

3.3 to 5.1 Million

The number of additional life-years that could be saved if all Americans engaged in cancer screenings when eligible.⁴

Effects on Healthcare Organizations

Patients aren’t the only ones affected by poor health literacy or plan utilization. Healthcare organizations can also be impacted, realizing effects on:

• Patient care. If healthcare staff doesn’t understand a patient’s coverage, it can affect their ability to provide efficient and effective care, also impacting their ability to answer patients’ questions about their plans.⁵
• Reimbursement ability. One study found that when patients with cancer had increased health insurance literacy, their financial hardship decreased.⁶ Improved financial standing may make it easier for patients to pay their expenses, including those related to medical costs not covered by insurance.
• Satisfaction rates. A 2022 study found that patients without health insurance reported lower levels of satisfaction with their care.⁷ This suggests that helping patients find the right coverage for them (the role of a health insurance agent) may improve their care experience.

Offering your healthcare team access to Licensed Health Agent training can prepare them to help patients navigate their insurance and advance your organization’s level of service and care.

What Is an Insurance Agent? Defining the Health Insurance Agent Role

Individuals in insurance agent roles are trained to help patients or consumers with a variety of health insurance issues, some of which include:

• Providing guidance when choosing an insurance plan during open enrollment
• Offering clarification of the healthcare plan’s benefits
• Assisting with claims for reimbursable healthcare expenses

902,500

The number of life and health insurance agents in the U.S. in 2023.⁸

Organizational Benefits of Offering Health Insurance Agent Training

Health insurance agent training can provide healthcare organizations with numerous benefits — even if you aren’t a health insurance provider.

Reinforces a Culture of Care

Certainly, healthcare providers aren’t obligated to help patients with health insurance issues. But taking this extra step tells those you serve that you’re there for them, even beyond the services or products you offer. It says you care enough to help them understand and use their policies as efficiently as possible, also helping them choose the best healthcare plan for them and their families. It reinforces your commitment to a culture of care.

Helps Patients Manage Medical Expenses

Many people enter healthcare because they want to improve others’ health. Yet, 40% of U.S. adults  are delaying care or going without it due to the cost.⁹ If patients feel their health expenses will be more manageable, they may be more likely to seek care, enabling you to provide the products or services they need.

Promotes Employee Retention

In June 2024, the healthcare industry lost 630,000 workers due to quits, layoffs, discharges, and other forms of separation — and that number is projected to increase.¹⁰ How do you retain staff? A 2023 study found that 75% of employees said they’d stay at their job longer if provided the opportunity for training that would provide a clear career path and help advance their careers.¹¹ Health agent training can be part of that plan.

Health Insurance Agent Training in Hours vs Months or Years

Many healthcare training programs take months or even years to complete. But not health insurance agent training — it’s a minimal time investment compared to several other training options.

Health insurance agents must be licensed in the state in which they work, and each state sets its licensing requirements. In Florida, for instance, individuals can apply for their license after completing 40 to 60 hours of training.

Specifically, to apply for the Florida Resident Health Agent License (2-40), applicants must meet certain qualification requirements and one option is to complete an approved 40-hour pre-licensing health insurance course within the past four years.¹² Licensed Health Insurance Agent training prepares workers to help consumers better understand their health insurance policies, enrollment options, and how to navigate coverage. It can also help healthcare staff develop key skills needed to work in this type of role, such as those related to customer service and communication.¹³

Get Started with Nasium Training’s Licensed Health Agent Training

If you’re ready to advance your employees’ understanding of health insurance, Nasium Training offers a 2-week Licensed Health Agent Training course that healthcare employees can complete entirely online.

Each course provides students with the information needed to secure health agent licensing via live lectures, practice activities, flashcards, and more. They also each include exam registration, fingerprinting, and becoming an appointed Florida licensure.

Contact us today to learn more about our Licensed Health Agent training course, as well as to discuss how we can help you create and implement an effective 2025 healthcare worker training plan. We look forward to speaking with you!

Course availability varies by state. Learners must meet eligibility requirements for licensure.