Course catalog

A Compliance Checklist for Employers

Offering employee benefits comes with a long list of ongoing compliance responsibilities that many employers don’t fully understand—and brokers often struggle to communicate. This course introduces a practical, easy-to-use compliance checklist that helps employers stay on track with key notices, filings, and deadlines. Agents will learn how to use the checklist as both an educational tool and a year-round service model that strengthens client relationships and reduces risk.

A Crash Course in Employee Benefits

This six-hour course provides a comprehensive introduction to the health insurance industry, making it ideal for new agents and a helpful refresher for experienced professionals. The course begins with key definitions and a brief history of health insurance, then explores plan types, funding arrangements, and the rules that apply to small and large employers. We’ll also review tax-advantaged accounts, major compliance responsibilities for employers, and the evolving role of the broker, along with practical best practices for serving clients effectively.

AI, Insurance, and Ethics: Can They Coexist?

Artificial intelligence can help insurance professionals work faster and more efficiently, but can it be used ethically? This course explores the opportunities, risks, and responsibilities associated with AI, helping agents balance innovation with professional judgment, client confidentiality, and consumer protection.

Answer FAQs with Facts!

This course explains how brokers and benefits professionals can improve client communication by building a structured, accurate knowledge base of frequently asked questions. It emphasizes the importance of consistency, completeness, and reliability in answering client questions and explores how maintaining verified information can improve client outcomes and reduce errors.

Apples to Apples or Apples and Oranges?

One of the key responsibilities of a health insurance agent is to shop the market and present plan options in an “apples to apples” format so clients can compare benefits and make informed decisions. Clear comparisons are essential because health insurance is complex and often difficult for consumers to understand. Providing the right information in a meaningful way is not just good service—it’s an important consumer protection responsibility. This course examines how agents build plan comparisons and asks an important question: are they truly “apples to apples”? With differences in deductibles, coinsurance, out-of-pocket limits, copays, and provider networks, many plans are fundamentally different. We’ll explore how to present comparisons responsibly and when a deeper analysis is needed to help clients choose the coverage that best fits their needs.

Bad Medicine

Brokers are expected to recommend plans that truly meet their clients’ needs, yet many proposals end up looking very similar to the client’s current coverage. When agents overlook alternative plan designs or fail to explore innovative options offered by carriers, clients may miss opportunities to save money or obtain better protection. This course examines several unique and “out-of-the-box” plan designs available in today’s market and explores why they are sometimes overlooked. We’ll also discuss how the information presented to consumers influences their decisions and how brokers can broaden the range of solutions they bring to the table.

Can AI Help Agents Better Serve Clients?

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing how insurance professionals research, communicate, and make recommendations—but with new capabilities come new ethical responsibilities. In this one-hour ethics course, we examine real-world use cases, discuss the risks and guardrails, and answer the question of whether AI can help agents better serve their clients. (Spoiler alert: yes!)

Can Employers Vary Benefits and Contributions?

Can an employer offer different plans or contribute different amounts for different groups of employees? The answer depends on factors like group size, funding method, and how employee classes are defined—and the rules are often misunderstood. This course clarifies what is and is not allowed for small groups, large groups, fully insured, and self-funded plans, and explains the compliance considerations behind each approach. Agents will leave with clear, confident answers to one of the most common (and most frequently guessed-at) employer questions.

Next: Tue, Dec 8

Cancer and the Insurance Safety Net

A cancer diagnosis can create financial challenges far beyond the medical bills. This two-hour CE course examines how health insurance, Medicare, supplemental policies, disability coverage, and other benefits can help, and is offered at no charge in support of a Chicago Marathon fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House. In lieu of a course fee, please visit this page to make a donation: https://give.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org/fundraiser/6790329

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

When employers choose to offer employee benefits, they also take on a variety of ongoing compliance responsibilities. In this course, we review the key requirements employers must keep track of and explain how they can perform a simple self-check to ensure nothing is falling through the cracks. We’ll also introduce a “do-it-yourself” compliance website that provides a comprehensive checklist to help employers stay organized and up to date.

COBRA: the 60 minute crash course

COBRA is an important continuation coverage requirement, but it is also an area where brokers must be careful not to overstep their role. In this course, we review the basics of COBRA, explain what employers are responsible for, and clarify what agents should—and should not—do when clients have questions. The goal is to help brokers understand enough to point employers in the right direction while avoiding the risks that come from trying to be too helpful.

Compliance Questions Clients Are Asking

Compliance rules surrounding employee benefits can be complicated, and employers often turn to their insurance agents with questions. The challenge is that most brokers are not compliance specialists and may feel uncomfortable diving too deeply into legal or regulatory details. This course reviews the most common compliance questions agents receive and provides practical guidance on how to respond clearly and responsibly—helping clients understand the basics while avoiding the risk of getting too far into the weeds.

Compliance: DIY or Don't Try This at Home?

Employers that sponsor group health plans are responsible for a wide range of compliance obligations under federal laws such as ERISA, the Affordable Care Act, COBRA, HIPAA, and the Internal Revenue Code. These obligations include the creation and distribution of required employee communications, maintaining formal plan documentation, completing government filings, and administering eligibility, enrollment, and continuation of coverage in accordance with strict rules and deadlines.

Consumer Choice - Finding the Sweet Spot

As the number of health insurance options grows, many consumers struggle to choose the right plan. Instead of evaluating the features that may matter most—like out-of-pocket limits or provider networks—they often focus on familiar elements such as brand names, copays, or premiums. This course explores how people actually make buying decisions and how brokers can guide clients more effectively by presenting the right number of options and focusing attention on the factors that truly matter.

Next: Mon, Dec 14

Crazy HSA Rules

Health Savings Accounts have been around for more than twenty years and continue to grow in popularity as more employers adopt high-deductible health plans. As a result, more clients are asking agents how HSAs work and whether they are a good fit for their situation. This course reviews the key rules surrounding HSA eligibility, contribution limits, and qualified expenses so agents can confidently answer common client questions and help them take full advantage of these tax-advantaged accounts.

Dental Insurance in Layman's Terms

Dental insurance may be simpler than medical coverage, but many clients still struggle to understand how it works. In this course, we break down the basics of dental plan design—including common coverage levels, waiting periods, and annual maximums—in clear, straightforward language. The goal is to help agents better understand dental coverage and provide ideas for explaining it to clients in a way that’s easy to understand.

Direct Primary Care - the next big trend?

More healthcare providers are choosing to step away from traditional insurance and bill patients directly, suggesting a shift that may represent a long-term trend rather than a short-term experiment. This course explores the growing movement toward direct primary care and concierge medicine, explaining how these models work and where they may fit within today’s health insurance landscape. Agents will learn how these arrangements can complement traditional coverage and when they might be a useful option for their clients.

Do we really know our audience?

Why do so many employees decline health coverage even when their employer pays a significant portion of the premium? If people are turning down the solutions we offer, it raises an important question – do we really understand our audience? In this course, written by Mark Bellman, we explore the reasons employees say no to benefits and what brokers can learn from those decisions when designing and presenting coverage options. This course satisfies one hour of the 5-hour recertification requirement for agents with the Texas Small Group Agent Certification through TDI.

Next: Thu, Dec 3

Eenie Meenie Miney Mo, PPO or HMO?

As you probably guessed, this course is about PPOs, HMOs, and other network options and how your clients can choose between them.

Employer Reporting - Whose Job Is It?

We all know what happens when we assume. But, unfortunately, clients often have incorrect assumptions about who's actually responsible for the various ACA reporting requirements - the insurer, the broker, or the employer. And incorrect assumptions can be costly. In this course, we'll discuss what the requirements are, how to make sure they are completed correctly and on time, and, of course, whose responsibility they are.

Ethics in P&C Insurance: Principles & Dilemmas

Finally, a FUN Ethics Class!

In this fun and interactive two-hour ethics course, attendees will discuss and debate many of the ethical situations insurance agents encounter in their daily work. Topics include enrollment paperwork, agent-of-record letters, non-compete agreements, plan and product recommendations, professional association participation, and more. We’ll also examine how proposed healthcare policy changes can create ethical dilemmas when lawmakers decide which stakeholders benefit – and which do not.

Finding the Best Plan for Your Medicare Clients

In the Medicare world, agents are taught to avoid superlatives like “best”—yet every client still needs the solution that works best for their situation. This one-hour ethics course explores how to balance compliant language with meaningful guidance by evaluating the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage, supplements, and Part D coverage for different client situations. We’ll focus on a needs-based, ethical decision-making process that leads to the right recommendation for each individual.

First, Do No Harm

Errors and omissions coverage exists to protect agents, but avoiding mistakes in the first place is far more important. In this two-hour ethics and consumer-protection course, we examine common ways agents unintentionally misguide clients—whether by providing incorrect information or failing to explain key details clients need to make informed decisions. The course focuses on practical steps agents can take to communicate clearly, document their advice, and ensure clients understand their options so they can purchase the coverage that truly protects them.

FSAs: How Flexible Are They?

Health Savings Accounts have received a lot of attention in recent years, but Flexible Spending Accounts remain an important and valuable benefit option. Unlike HSAs, FSAs do not have to be paired with a specific type of health plan and allow employees to access their full election amount at the beginning of the plan year. In this course, we review the key FSA rules, discuss how these accounts work in practice, and explain why they continue to be a strong option for many employer-sponsored benefit programs.

Health Care: A Right or a Privilege?

There is significant debate about whether a single-payer or Medicare for All system would work in the United States, but the discussion often focuses on politics rather than the underlying ethical questions. What responsibility does society have to ensure access to healthcare, and what trade-offs are acceptable in pursuing that goal? In this interactive webinar, we examine the ethical arguments both for and against Medicare for All and encourage thoughtful discussion about the principles that should guide healthcare policy.

Health Insurance 101: The Basics

In Part 1 of this three-part series, we cover the fundamentals of health insurance. Topics include key definitions, the purpose of health insurance, a brief history of the industry, provider networks, common plan types, funding arrangements, and other essential concepts that form the foundation of today’s health insurance market.

Health Insurance 201: Rules & Employer Strategies

In Part 2 of this three-part series, we focus on the “rules of the game” that shape the health insurance marketplace. We’ll review key regulations that affect employer-sponsored coverage and discuss the strategies brokers use to help clients maximize the value of their healthcare dollars.

Health Insurance 301: Accounts & Ancillary Benefits

In Part 3 of this three-part series, we round out the discussion by looking at the additional benefits that help complete an employee benefits package. Topics include tax-advantaged accounts and common ancillary benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance, and how these options work alongside core health coverage.

Health Insurance in Other Countries

Supporters of Medicare for All often note that the United States is the only industrialized nation without a government-run universal healthcare system. Opponents respond that systems in other countries can involve long wait times and limited access to care. In this course, we examine how healthcare systems operate in several other countries and explore what their experiences can teach us about the ongoing debate in the United States.

Health Insurance Past, Present, and Future

Understanding today’s health insurance market requires a look at how the system developed over time. This course reviews the history of health insurance in the United States and examines the many attempts that have been made to control rising healthcare costs. Along the way, we discuss the successes, shortcomings, and unintended consequences of past reforms to provide perspective on current industry challenges and possible future changes.

Next: Wed, Dec 16

Health Insurance: A Three-Hour Tour

This three-hour course provides a practical introduction to health insurance and employee benefits for agents who are new to the industry. It also serves as a helpful refresher for experienced agents who want to revisit the fundamentals and strengthen their understanding of the core concepts that shape today’s employee benefits marketplace.

Health Insurance: It's a Numbers Game

Math plays a surprisingly important role in the health insurance industry. From determining thresholds for COBRA, Medicare Secondary Payer rules, and employer mandates to calculating HSA contributions, premium tax credits, and the true cost of coverage, numbers are everywhere. This course walks through several of the key calculations agents encounter and helps attendees become more comfortable with the math so they can better advise clients and avoid costly mistakes.

How Captives Can Save (Some) Employers Money

Many brokers are familiar with fully insured and traditional self-funded health plans, but fewer have explored health insurance captives. In this course, we introduce the captive model and explain how it allows small and mid-size employers to participate in a shared self-insured arrangement. Attendees will learn how captives work, when they may be a good fit, and how brokers can evaluate whether this alternative funding option makes sense for their clients.

How NOT to blow up your clients (& other LF tips)

How to Advise Medicare-Eligible Employees

As more employees work past age 65, group health brokers are increasingly asked whether those employees should stay on the employer’s plan, enroll in Medicare, or both. This course explains the key Medicare eligibility, coordination, and penalty rules that group health agents need to understand so they can properly educate employees and help them make informed decisions. Satisfies one hour of the four-hour Medicare-Related Continuing Education (recertification) requirement for agents who sell Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D plans in Texas.

HRAs and MERPs - What's the Difference?

Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) have been around for more than 20 years, and Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERPs) were used even before that. While both strategies were once very popular, they are somewhat underutilized today. In this course, we review how HRAs and MERPs work, explain the similarities and differences between the two approaches, and discuss why they can still be valuable solutions for many employer clients.

HSAs: Do the Math!

Some healthcare consumers are low utilizers - they may get their preventive care each year, but that's about it. Others are medium utilizers - they go to the doctor a couple times and may have one or two prescriptions, but they're unlikely to hit their deductible. And some are high utilizers - they reacher their out-of-pocket limit nearly every single year. Regardless of their utilization, though, most health care consumers would do better with an HSA. In this class, we'll do the math to prove it.

HSAs: the Advanced Course

This course picks up where the HSA basics course leaves off. In this advanced session, we examine some of the more complicated questions brokers receive about Health Savings Accounts – including what counts as “other coverage” that can affect eligibility, how contribution limits work when someone has partial-year coverage, and some of the gray areas that often lead agents to say “ask your tax advisor.”

HSAs: the Basics

In this HSA basics course, we explain what Health Savings Accounts are and why they can be a valuable option for many clients. We’ll review the key eligibility and contribution rules, discuss how HSAs work alongside high-deductible health plans, and go over common eligible expenses. This course is ideal for newer agents who are unfamiliar with HSAs and a helpful refresher for experienced agents.

Hybrid Health Plans

Today, rich, low-deductible health plans are increasingly rare. And when they do exist, the price is often out of reach. Today’s brokers are frequently asked to create something that feels comprehensive while still staying within budget. This course shows how to combine core medical coverage with supplemental and alternative solutions to “build” a more complete benefits package. We’ll walk through practical hybrid plan strategies that improve employee satisfaction while keeping employer costs under control.

ICHRAs and QSEHRAs - Same, but Different

In this course, we examine two strategies employers can use to reimburse employees for individual health insurance – QSEHRAs and ICHRAs. We’ll review how each arrangement works, who is eligible to offer them, and the rules that apply to each approach. While these two types of HRAs share many similarities, they also have important differences, making each one a better fit for certain employers.

Insurance Jeopardy

It's back!! It's been a few years since we've played Jeopardy, so this should be fun. Best to have excel open during this class so you can easily keep score.

Next: Thu, Dec 10

Is AI Useful? That Depends on the User.

Artificial Intelligence is becoming a powerful tool in the workplace—but its usefulness ultimately depends on the person using it. This course explores how AI is changing the way insurance professionals research, communicate, and create content, while emphasizing the continued importance of human judgment and oversight. Through practical demonstrations and real-world examples from both inside and outside the insurance industry, Eric shows how AI can be used to boost productivity, efficiency, and creativity.

Next: Wed, Dec 9

Is it really a benefit if nobody wants it?

Employee benefits are supposed to attract and retain talent—but low participation can prevent a plan from even getting off the ground. When employees decline coverage, employers struggle to meet carrier requirements and the value of the benefits package is lost. This course explores the real reasons participation falls short and the strategies brokers and employers can use to design, position, and communicate benefits in ways employees actually want, improving both enrollment and perceived value.

It's Ethics Time Again

Most insurance agents are required to complete ethics continuing education each license renewal period. This course provides two hours of ethics credit while exploring practical ethical issues agents face in their day-to-day work. Even if you’ve already satisfied your ethics requirement, the discussion is designed to give attendees a few things to think about as they navigate real-world decisions in their professional practice.

It's Not You, It's Them

Some agents believe their job is finished once an employer selects a health plan, but that is really just the beginning. After the plan is chosen, agents play a critical role in helping employees understand why coverage matters and how to use their benefits. This course explores the concept of health literacy and explains why many consumers struggle to navigate the healthcare system. Attendees will learn practical ways to communicate benefits more clearly so employees can make informed decisions and use their coverage properly.

Next: Tue, Dec 15

Level-Funded Plans for Small Employers

Under the Affordable Care Act, small group plans must follow modified adjusted community rating rules, meaning carriers cannot price coverage based on factors such as health status, gender, or industry. While this benefits some employers, younger and healthier groups may end up paying more than their actual risk would suggest. This course explains how level-funded plans work, why they have grown in popularity, and which small employers may – or may not – be good candidates for this alternative funding approach. This course satisfies one hour of the 5-hour recertification requirement for agents with the Texas Small Group Agent Certification through TDI.

Next: Tue, Dec 1

Medicare Considerations for Employees

As more employees continue working past age 65, an important question arises: should they stay on their employer’s health plan, enroll in Medicare, or carry both? The right answer depends on several factors, including employer size, plan design, costs, and coordination-of-benefits rules. This course walks through the key considerations so agents can help Medicare-eligible employees understand their options and make informed coverage decisions.

Medicare Election Periods

Medicare enrollment rules can be confusing, with different timelines for signing up for Part A and Part B, Medicare supplement plans, and Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage. In this one-hour course, we review the various Medicare election periods and explain when beneficiaries can enroll, switch plans, or make coverage changes. Satisfies one hour of the four-hour Medicare-Related Continuing Education (recertification) requirement for agents who sell Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D plans in Texas.

Medicare Ethics

Insurance agents regularly face ethical dilemmas when the interests of clients, carriers, and the agent do not perfectly align. In the Medicare market, these situations are often complicated by detailed marketing and compliance rules designed to protect beneficiaries. This course examines common ethical challenges in Medicare sales, including compliance paperwork and marketing regulations, and discusses how agents can navigate these situations responsibly while still serving their clients effectively.

Medicare from A to D

Medicare has been around for decades and covers millions of Americans, yet many people—including some insurance agents—still struggle to understand how it works. In this course, we provide a clear overview of the Medicare system, including Part A (hospital), Part B (medical), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). We’ll also explain how Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans fit into the picture and help attendees better understand the choices available to Medicare beneficiaries. Satisfies one hour of the four-hour Medicare-Related Continuing Education (recertification) requirement for agents who sell Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D plans in Texas.

Medicare in Pictures

This introductory course provides a high-level overview of the Medicare program using a highly visual slide deck that relies primarily on pictures rather than dense text. The goal is to simplify the key concepts and make Medicare easier to understand for agents who are new to the program or looking for a quick refresher. Satisfies one hour of the four-hour Medicare-Related Continuing Education (recertification) requirement for agents who sell Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D plans in Texas.

Medicare Premium Reimbursement Arrangements

Older employees can significantly increase premiums for small employer health plans, yet employers generally cannot require Medicare-eligible workers to leave the group plan. For groups with fewer than 20 employees, however, there is a strategy that can benefit both the employer and the employee: a Medicare Premium Reimbursement Arrangement (MPRA). In this course, we explain the rules surrounding these arrangements and how they can be used to reimburse Medicare Part B and supplement premiums while helping small employers control costs. This course satisfies one hour of the four-hour Medicare-Related Continuing Education (recertification) requirement for agents who sell Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D plans in Texas.

MERP - an oldie but a goodie

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERPs), sometimes called deductible-reimbursement HRAs, were once a popular strategy for employers who wanted to offer strong benefits while controlling premium costs. Although they are used less frequently today, rising premiums have made these arrangements attractive again. This course explains how MERPs work and why they may once again be a valuable option for some employer groups. This course satisfies one hour of the 5-hour recertification requirement for agents with the Texas Small Group Agent Certification through TDI.

Next: Fri, Dec 4

Modified Adjusted Community Rating

The Affordable Care Act dramatically changed how small group health plans are priced by prohibiting carriers from underwriting based on factors such as gender or medical conditions. These modified adjusted community rating rules have raised premiums for some employers while also simplifying the rating process in many ways. In this course, we examine how the rating system works, the impact it has had on small group pricing, and why alternatives like level-funded plans have gained popularity. This course satisfies one hour of the 5-hour recertification requirement for agents with the Texas Small Group Agent Certification through TDI.

Next: Mon, Dec 7

No Wonder Our Clients Are Confused

The insurance industry has its own language – filled with technical terms, acronyms, and constantly changing rules. Add in complicated regulations and government guidance that often leaves important questions unanswered, and it’s easy to see why clients struggle to understand their coverage options. This course explores some of the most common sources of confusion and discusses how agents can communicate more clearly and help clients better understand their benefits.

Not All Surprises Are Good

Everybody likes surprises, right? Wrong! When it comes to medical bills, surprises are usually the last thing anyone wants. This course examines the No Surprises Act, the federal law that took effect January 1, 2022 to address surprise medical billing. We’ll review the situations the law covers, how the new rules protect patients, and what agents should understand about how the law affects health plans and their clients.

NPNC: The Small Group Open Enrollment Period

Fully insured small groups have a special open enrollment opportunity that many brokers overlook. This course explains how the small group open enrollment period works, the rules that apply, and why it can create valuable sales opportunities during the fourth quarter. Agents will learn how to use this underutilized strategy to approach new prospects and win more small group clients. This course satisfies one hour of the 5-hour recertification requirement for agents with the Texas Small Group Agent Certification through TDI.

One Man's Pain is Another Man's Profit

One of the goals of the Affordable Care Act was to make health coverage more affordable, yet many Americans still struggle to pay for insurance premiums and life-saving medications. As healthcare costs continue to rise, criticism has grown toward insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and others who profit within the system. In this course, we explore the ethical questions surrounding profit in healthcare – examining whether these companies should be praised for providing valuable products and services or criticized for benefiting from people’s medical needs.

Phoning It In

Telehealth has quickly become a common feature in many health plans, giving patients convenient access to care without visiting a doctor’s office. In this course, we discuss how telehealth benefits work, why they have grown in popularity, and how they fit into today’s healthcare and insurance landscape.

Pimp My Spreadsheet

At renewal, one of the broker’s most valuable deliverables is a clear, accurate, apples-to-apples comparison of plan options. This course shows what truly belongs on a client-facing spreadsheet and walks step-by-step through how to build one from scratch for better employer decision-making. We’ll also demonstrate a “smart spreadsheet” that not only presents the options but calculates premiums automatically—reducing the need to run quotes on the various carrier websites.

Red Tape vs Common Sense

In this course, we explore how bureaucratic red tape in the insurance industry – sometimes created by government regulations and sometimes by carrier policies – can make it harder for consumers to access the care they need when they need it. We’ll examine common examples and discuss how these rules affect patients, providers, and the agents who help clients navigate the system.

Tell em what you want, what you really really want

In this interactive course, insurance advisors share ideas about what they – and their clients – want from their carrier partners. Attendees will discuss plan design, service issues, and other improvements they would like to see from health insurers. Ideas generated in past sessions have been shared with carriers and have even helped influence positive changes in plan design.

The $2,000 Cap on Medicare Part D Plans

The 2025 Medicare Part D redesign introduced a landmark $2,000 cap on annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, fundamentally changing how beneficiaries experience drug coverage. This course focuses on how the new cap works, who benefits the most, and the ripple effects on premiums, plan designs, formularies, and carrier strategy. Agents will learn how to explain the change in simple terms, identify when a client gains—or pays more—and adjust their plan selection approach in this new environment. We’ll also touch on the impact of this change on the creditable coverage determination for employer-sponsored drug plans.

The 3 Main Types of Tax-Advantaged Accounts

In this course, we compare and contrast the three primary tax-advantaged healthcare accounts – Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). We’ll review how each account works, the rules that apply, and when each option may be the best fit for employers and employees.

Next: Tue, Nov 17

The Art and Science of Benefits Consulting

This course is designed to help insurance professionals make more thoughtful, consistent, and ethical client recommendations. We’ll explore the science of structured analysis, the art of professional judgment, the broker’s toolbox, employer and employee education, implementation, ethics, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in benefits consulting. Breaks will be provided between sections. Participants will receive six hours of classroom CE credit, and no final exam is required. This special course is separate from the ComedyCE.com Season Pass and is not included with a Season Pass subscription.

The Doctor Shortage and Market-Based Solutions

Consumers are increasingly frustrated by narrow networks, disappearing out-of-network benefits, and the growing difficulty of finding plans that include their preferred doctors. At the same time, the U.S. is facing a significant physician shortage that is expected to worsen over the next several years. These two trends are reshaping how coverage is accessed and how brokers must guide their clients. This course explains the forces behind the provider shortage, why networks have tightened in the individual market, and the practical, market-based solutions available today—from alternative plan designs to new care delivery models—that can help clients maintain access to quality care while managing premium costs.

The Doctor Will See You Now (Just Kidding)

This course examines the growing physician shortage in the United States, where more doctors are retiring and fewer are entering primary care. The result is longer wait times for appointments and increased frustration for patients, often made worse by restrictive insurance networks that limit provider access. In this session, we discuss how these trends affect the healthcare system and share practical ways agents can help clients navigate the challenges and find timely care.

The Employer Mandate and Reporting Requirements

Under the Affordable Care Act, applicable large employers – generally those with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees – must offer minimum essential coverage that meets affordability and minimum value standards or face potential penalties. They are also required to file annual reports with the IRS detailing their coverage offers and employee enrollment. In this course, we review the employer shared responsibility rules and the reporting requirements employers must follow. Resource site link: [https://comedyce.com/employer-mandate-and-reporting/](https://comedyce.com/employer-mandate-and-reporting/)

The End of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

Enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act helped millions of individuals and families afford Marketplace coverage, but those temporary expansions rolled back to their pre-COVID levels beginning January 1, 2026. As a result, many consumers are facing significantly higher premiums, and some are reconsidering whether to maintain coverage at all. This course explains how the subsidy changes work, the potential impact on Marketplace enrollment, and strategies agents can use to help clients manage rising costs.

The Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter is the busiest time of the year for many benefits brokers as employer health plans come up for renewal. In this course, we discuss several strategies agents can use to stay organized, manage the workload, and position themselves for success during this critical part of the year.

The Health Benefits of Wine & Chocolate

Wellness programs are often promoted as a way for employers to improve employee health and reduce healthcare costs, but many rely on complicated incentives, penalties, and measurements that don’t always lead to lasting behavior change. This course explores a different approach – one that focuses on making wellness programs simple, enjoyable, and engaging for employees. Attendees will learn how employers can encourage healthier habits and achieve long-term results without relying solely on the traditional “carrot and stick” model.

The History of Employee Benefits

This course takes a look at the surprisingly interesting history of employee benefits in the United States. Over the years, policymakers and industry leaders have made numerous attempts to expand coverage, reduce costs, and improve access to care – with mixed success. Understanding these past efforts provides valuable perspective on today’s challenges and helps us think more clearly about where the employee benefits system may be headed next.

The New Part D Creditable Coverage Calculation

Medicare Part D is undergoing its most significant changes in nearly 20 years, including the new $2,000 annual cap on prescription drug costs (indexed for inflation) that took effect in 2025. While this change benefits many Medicare beneficiaries, it also affects how employers determine whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable. In this course, we review the Part D redesign, explain the new creditable coverage calculation that is required starting in 2027, and discuss what employers, advisors, and brokers need to understand about the updated determination process.

The Paperwork Burden

ACA reporting added a new layer of complexity to an already crowded compliance landscape that includes HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA disclosures, and more. Employers are overwhelmed by new forms, new deadlines, and difficult eligibility and affordability calculations, while brokers must answer questions without crossing into legal or tax advice. This course breaks down the major reporting and disclosure requirements in plain language and shows how brokers can turn the “paperwork burden” into a valuable advisory opportunity for their clients.

The Tipping Point for Telehealth

The use of telehealth services surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating a trend that had already been gaining momentum. For many patients and providers, the pandemic served as a tipping point for virtual care. In this course, we examine how telehealth usage changed during the pandemic and discuss whether virtual healthcare services are likely to remain a permanent part of the healthcare landscape.

Next: Wed, Nov 18

Time for a Quiz!

Brokers receive a wide range of questions from their clients, and sometimes the correct answer isn’t immediately obvious. Continuing education helps agents expand their knowledge so they can respond with confidence. In this interactive class, we’ll pose a series of questions, give attendees a chance to respond, compare answers with their colleagues, and then review the correct answers along with brief explanations. It’s a fast-paced and engaging way to test your knowledge while learning something new.

Understanding Special Enrollment Periods

In most insurance markets – group, individual, and Medicare – people can enroll in or change coverage only during designated open enrollment periods. These windows exist to encourage people to purchase insurance before they need care and to reduce the risk of adverse selection. However, certain life events create special enrollment opportunities that allow individuals to sign up for or change coverage outside of the normal enrollment period. In this course, we review the special enrollment periods available in the different market segments and explain how they work.

Using AI to Keep Clients Compliant

This course explains how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly to support employer compliance efforts in the health insurance industry, with a focus on using accurate, structured knowledge to improve consistency and reduce risk.

Using supplemental products to build a better plan

Supplemental or worksite products have traditionally been offered to help employees replace lost income during an illness or injury. Today, with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket limits, many employers are also using these products to help fill gaps in their health plans. This course explores how supplemental benefits can be combined with medical coverage to create a more complete and affordable benefits package for employees. This course satisfies one hour of the 5-hour recertification requirement for agents with the Texas Small Group Agent Certification through TDI.

Next: Wed, Dec 2

Was the ACA Doomed to Fail?

The Affordable Care Act dramatically reshaped the health insurance landscape, but from the beginning it faced political opposition, complex design challenges, and difficult trade-offs between affordability, access, and market stability. This course looks at the ACA’s original goals, how its structure affects premiums and participation, and the key pressures that have influenced its performance over time. We’ll separate political talking points from market realities and discuss what the law has accomplished, where it struggles, and what the future may hold.

What Agents Need to Know About COBRA

COBRA is technically an employer law rather than an insurance law, but that doesn’t mean brokers can ignore it. Agents should understand the basics so they can point clients in the right direction when questions arise. In this course, we review the key concepts of COBRA and explain what agents need to know in order to properly guide their employer clients.

What Can We Learn from Studying Our Past?

There is a lot to learn in today’s health insurance market, with numerous plan designs, carriers, and funding options to consider. So why spend time studying the history of health insurance? The answer is that understanding how the system developed can provide valuable insights that many brokers overlook. In this course, we explore key lessons from the past that can help agents better understand today’s market, uncover new strategies, and potentially save their clients money.

What in the World is a Captive?

Some small employers look to level-funded plans as a way to avoid the modified adjusted community rating rules in the small group market. While these plans can offer savings, they do not always provide the full advantages of traditional self-funding. In this course, we introduce the concept of health insurance captives and explain how they work, including how they can provide many of the benefits of self-funding while offering additional protection for participating employers.

What is an HRA?

In this course, we'll discuss general purpose HRAs. What are they, how do they work, and are they still a good option for employers?

What would you say you do here?

Brokers do a wide range of work for their clients – shopping the market, presenting plan options, making recommendations, educating employees, and assisting with service issues throughout the year. Yet many clients are not fully aware of everything their broker does on their behalf. In this course, we explore the broker’s role, discuss how agents can better communicate their value to clients, and examine how compensation disclosure rules have made that conversation more important than ever. We’ll also consider whether brokers are truly focusing on the activities that create the most value for their clients.

Next: Fri, Dec 11

When Level-Funding is a Good Fit

Level-funded health plans offer small employers a way to move toward a self-insured approach and potentially avoid the modified adjusted community rating rules that apply to fully insured small group plans. However, this strategy is not the right fit for every employer. In this course, we discuss the types of companies that tend to benefit most from level funding, focusing on the demographic and claims characteristics that make a group a strong candidate for this alternative funding approach.

Why are we still waiting for price transparency?

For years, brokers and industry experts have emphasized the importance of price transparency in healthcare. The idea is simple – if patients know the price of services in advance, they can make better decisions and help control overall costs. Yet despite widespread agreement that transparency is essential, progress has been slow. In this course, we explore why healthcare pricing remains so difficult to see and discuss what it will take to finally make true price transparency a reality.

Why do I need ethics?

Most agents believe they already act in their clients’ best interests—so why is ethics training required every renewal period? This course explores the real purpose of ethics education, the risks agents face in everyday situations, and the difference between compliance and true ethical decision-making. Through practical examples, we’ll look at common gray areas and provide simple frameworks agents can use to navigate conflicts, compensation questions, and client recommendations with confidence.

Why You're on the B List

Insurance agents rely on carrier representatives and underwriters to help get cases issued quickly and at competitive rates, making those relationships extremely valuable. Yet many agents unknowingly do things that frustrate the very people they depend on. This course highlights common mistakes that irritate carrier partners and offers practical tips to help agents communicate more effectively, avoid unnecessary delays, and become a preferred broker with the carriers they work with.

Next: Thu, Nov 19