Insurance Training HQ – March 2026 Newsletter
Progress Update, Timeline Adjustment, MARC Preview, and Industry Updates
Topics discussed in this Newsletter:
February Recap
Timeline Change
Course Update
MARC Update
Industry Update
Rumors About CMS allowing Agent Consulting Fees
Looking Ahead
👋 Welcome & March Overview
March has been a month of progress, adjustment, and laying the groundwork for something bigger than originally planned.
In our February newsletter, we discussed the goal of completing the initial training program by the end of February and moving toward the launch of the Insurance Training HQ learning platform.
While that timeline shifted slightly, the delay came from an opportunity that will ultimately strengthen the quality of the training program and the long-term vision for the platform.
🔁 February Recap - What we covered last month
In the February 2026 Newsletter, we introduced the upcoming training program build-out and discussed the plan to release the first set of Medicare training courses designed for agents and agencies who want structured, professional development outside of carrier-provided training.
Key points from February included:
Development of core Medicare training courses
Building a centralized learning platform for agents
Creating a long-term resource center for ongoing education
Goal to complete the first phase by the end of February
At that time, the expectation was that the first set of courses would be finished and ready for release shortly after.
⚠️ Why the Timeline Changed
During February and early March, I spent time networking and beginning conversations with several companies in the insurance space that are interested in training support, course development, and consulting solutions.
These courses were always intended for both individual agents and agencies seeking structured training resources. However, those conversations helped ensure that the material being built will work in real agency environments, not just in theory.
Because of that, some additional time was spent refining course structure, identifying the most important topics to prioritize, and making sure the training can support both independent agents and organizations that need consistent onboarding and development programs.
This slowed the original timeline slightly, but it will result in a stronger and more practical training program at launch.
The goal remains to complete the initial course set by the end of March.
🌱Course Development Update - Where are we now
In our February newsletter, we shared that the Medicare 100–106 courses had been completed and that we were moving into the final portion of the initial training program build.
Since then, development has continued, and we have now completed Medicare 107 and 108, with the full course series currently in the final stages of production with Medicare 109 and 110.
Once the remaining pieces are finished, the next step will be a short refinement period. During this time, we will spend about a week reviewing the full program to make sure everything runs smoothly, all course materials load correctly, and users can move through the content without any issues. The goal is to make sure all the details are handled before opening the platform to the public.
We also plan to allow a small group of users to beta test the courses before the official launch. This will give us an opportunity to gather feedback, identify anything that may need adjustment, and make final improvements before the full release.
After the beta testing and refinement period is complete, we will begin preparing for the official launch of the courses on the Insurance Training HQ platform.
More details on pricing, access, and enrollment will be shared soon.
🌐MARC - Medicare Agent Resource Center
Alongside the course development, work has continued on the Medicare Agent Resource Center (MARC), which is being moved to be released in the middle of Q2.
MARC is being built as a separate resource hub specifically for Medicare insurance agents who want quick access to tools that can improve performance, knowledge, and day-to-day workflow.
The resource center is expected to include:
Job aids
Excel tools and calculators
Knowledge guides
Quick reference sheets
Compliance reminders
Sales support materials
MARC will not house the LMS training courses themselves.
Instead, it will serve as a support library that agents can use alongside training courses, carrier certifications, and agency training programs.
The goal is to give agents access to the kind of materials that normally only exist inside large agencies or internal training departments.
More details on MARC will be shared as we get closer to launch.
📰 Industry Update — Compliance Still in the Spotlight
One of the biggest reminders this month of how important compliance and proper training are came from a recent legal settlement involving Aetna.
Aetna, a subsidiary of CVS Health, agreed to pay $117.7 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act related to Medicare Advantage payments.
This case is a strong reminder that compliance is not just a formality — it directly affects how plans operate, how agents are trained, and how organizations are held accountable.
Even when cases are settled, the message across the industry is clear:
Oversight is increasing
Documentation matters
Training matters
Compliance matters more than ever
As the industry moves into 2026 and beyond, we are seeing more situations where regulators, carriers, and agencies are being held to a higher standard.
Proper training helps prevent mistakes, and strong compliance processes help protect everyone involved — agents, agencies, carriers, and beneficiaries.
For reference, the official DOJ announcement can be found here:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/aetna-agrees-pay-1177-million-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations
📢 Rumors About CMS Consulting Fees
There have also been discussions circulating online about the possibility of
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services allowing consulting fees or alternative compensation models for non-commissionable plans.
At this time, these appear to be rumors and do not align with current regulations under the existing Code of Federal Regulations guidelines governing Medicare marketing and agent compensation.
If any changes like this were to happen, it would require formal rule changes and clear CMS guidance.
As always, agents should rely on official CMS guidance, carrier communications, and compliance departments when evaluating rules.
📅 Looking Ahead
The focus for the rest of March remains:
Completing the Medicare course series
Preparing the Medicare Agent Resource Center (MARC)
Finalizing the Insurance Training HQ platform structure
Getting ready for the first official release
Progress may not always happen exactly on the original timeline, but the goal remains the same — building training resources that are practical, compliant, and actually useful for agents working in the field.
More updates coming next month.
— Jay Sweat
Founder, Insurance Training HQ
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