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Group Insurance Certificate Program
Group Insurance Certificate Program
Is one of your practice goals to expand and establish a link to the group insurance business? Are you currently leaving a lucrative group insurance opportunity on the table? If so, this certificate program is for you.
Through the Group Insurance Certificate program, you will gain an understanding of the full range of group benefit coverages and plans for employee groups. You will also learn about plan funding, administration, and special marketing protocols, as well as the underwriting and claims processes of group benefit plan management.
Who should enrol?
- Individuals looking to earn a certificate in group insurance
- Individuals looking to obtain a greater understanding of group insurance
Program Structure
To successfully obtain the Group Insurance Certificate, candidates will need to complete all twelve modules in this program within one calendar year.
Program Modules
Module 1: Addressing Risk (2 CE)
Following an introduction to group insurance, underwriting methods and insurable groups, this module addresses the issues of risk and the uncertainty of financial loss, with a focus on pure risk.
- Understand and explain the concept of risk management and risk management techniques
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 2 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60% Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 2: Benefit Plan Management (3 CE)
Employers or other sanctioned organizations offer benefit coverage and plans to various groups including single-employer plans, multi-employer plans, association plans and creditor plans. This module also addresses the key participants and features for group benefit plans.
- Understand the fundamental principles of group insurance in determining those eligible for group insurance coverage
- Explain the critical areas of plan management activities, specifically: plan design, plan funding and plan administration
- Understand the special features on multi-employer plans including: the formal agreements that support the management of group plans, the operation of trust agreements and the eligibility for coverage
- Explain the special purpose of group creditor insurance and the industry guidelines that apply to protect the consumer
- Understand the scope of government-sponsored benefits programs in order to co-ordinate employer-sponsored benefits plans with government benefits
- Understand the impact of various types of federal and provincial legislation on the operation of group plans
- Explain tax treatment to employers and employees of contributions and benefits in a group plan
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 3 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60%
Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-month window for completion of module (individual module registration)
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Students must re-purchase after 2 unsuccessful attempts
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 3: Plan Design & Funding (4 CE)
This module compares group insurance and individual insurance, with a focus on the benefits of group insurance. This module also provides a general overview of the key funding methods and factors that impact the options for managing the associated financial risk or liability.
- Describe the design steps in developing a new group plan or revising an existing plan
- Explain methods available to the employer to manage risk in the group benefits plan, including insurance, risk sharing and risk acceptance
- Distinguish between fully pooled, prospectively rated and experience rated for insured funding given assumption of liability or risk, annual financial accounting for experience results and the basis for premium rate determination on renewal
- Understand the methods of self-insured funding including ASO agreements and self-insured with pooling
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 4 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60%
Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 4: Plan Administration (3 CE)
Benefit plan administration includes a wide range of tasks that vary depending on whether the plan is new, established or undergoing changes. This module focuses on basic administrative activities and various approaches for carrying them out.
- Understand the features and differences of administrative approaches including self-administration, insurer administration and Third Party Administration (TPA)
- Explain the benefits of an administration manual from the perspective of employee enrollment, changes in coverage, premium administration, claims administration and other important processes
- Consider the influence of the CLHIA Group Life and Health Insurance Guidelines on proper group plan administration
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 3 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60%
Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 5: Claims Administration (3 CE)
Following an introduction to group insurance, underwriting methods and insurable groups, this module addresses the issues of risk and the uncertainty of financial loss, with a focus on pure risk.
This module provides a description of the process and considerations for health care, dental care and disability claims submissions, and explains the role of the claims analyst, with emphasis on the timely and accurate payment of claims.
- Understand the role of the claims analyst
- Explain the claims administration process
- Identify the unique aspects of health insurance claims administration including drug and dental claims
- Understand and apply the COB guidelines in determining the proper handling of claims where there is duplicate coverage, particularly in situations where either spouses or common law partners have separate coverage
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 3 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60% Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 6: Underwriting (4 CE)
A detailed discussion on how group insurance is priced, factors considered in pricing, and the types of claims considered. In each case, the cost of the claim incurred, claims paid, and reserves are related as critical parts of the pricing process. Plan expenses, plan design and group characteristics are also identified as integral parts of pricing.
- Understand the underwriting process for pricing group insurance products
- Learn the process of setting premium rates including manual rate setting, pooled rating and experience rating
- Identify the objectives of renewal premium underwriting and the process for reviewing the group’s experience and determining prospective premium rates
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 4 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60%
Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 7: Disability Income Replacement (4 CE)
An in-depth review of group insurance income replacement plans, which protect employees against loss of income in the event of a short-term disability. Topics covered include design, funding and administration for various types of plans, accounting requirements, managing employee absence, and the cost of providing benefits.
- Understand the meaning of sick leave, salary continuance and weekly indemnity plans
- Explain the rationale for coordinating employer STDs with government plans including Workers’ Compensation, Employment Insurance and the Canada or Quebec Pension Plan
- Learn the structure of registered weekly indemnity and short-term disability plans and their coordination and integration with government Employment Insurance
- Understand characteristics of long-term disability plans and their purpose in providing extended disability benefits to the employee
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 4 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60% Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 8: Extended Health Care Benefits (3 CE)
A review of the services offered under extended health care plans. This module addresses plan design and administration of extended health care plans, as well as special features such as deductibles, co-insurance, benefit maximums, customary charges and covered expenses.
- Understand the types of benefits offered under extended health care plans
- Explain the integration of extended health care plans with government plan
- Identify the plan designs and benefits offered under Private Health Services Plans as defined by Canada Revenue Agency
- Understand the relevance of provisions in managing plan costs such as:
- Deductibles
- Co-insurance
- Benefit maximums
- Reasonable and customary charges
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 3 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60%
Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program/li>
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 9: Dental Coverage (2 CE)
An overview of the services offered under dental care plans. For group insurance purposes, dental care services are generally grouped into basic or routine care, major restorative and orthodontic services.
- Understand the types of benefits offered under dental care plans from basic care, major restorative care and orthodontic services
Identify the characteristics of covered groups that can affect dental plan utilization - Explain the role of dental care providers generally described as licensed dentists, denturists or hygienists
- Describe cost containment and plan design measures for group dental plans
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 2 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60%
Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 10: Wellness Programs (2 CE)
With a focus on the design, administration, taxation and funding considerations of Employee Assistance Programs and wellness programs, this module discusses the ancillary benefits employers might provide such as family benefits, financial benefits, and group legal insurance.
- Understand the role of EAPs in providing services to improve an employee’s well-being and productivity
- Explain the primary services offered by an EAP program including confidential consultation/counseling with employees and/or their family members
- Describe the objective of wellness programs to support and encourage healthier lifestyles for employees
- Identify factors to consider in implementing a wellness program
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 2 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60% Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 11: Flexible Benefit Plans (4 CE)
In flexible benefits plans, the employees decide how employer benefit dollars are spent on their behalf. This module addresses the services and limits offered under flexible benefit plans, various approaches for introducing flexibility, and the pricing and credit structure of the plan.
- Understanding the specific factors which have contributed to employers reconsidering their approach to offering flexible benefit plans, including those related to employee needs and those related to employer needs
- Explaining the types of approaches enlisted to introduce flexibility to group benefit plans
- Identifying methods of pricing flexible benefit plan offerings
- Defining the purpose and administration of flex credits
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 4 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60%
Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process
Module 12: Insurance Marketing (3 CE)
A review of the processes involved in group insurance marketing. This module also defines the roles intermediaries such as agents, brokers, consultants, and account executives play in the marketing process.
- Understand the special meaning of marketing in the group insurance arena
- Appreciate the relationship between an employer, advisor and insurer when an employer markets a plan
- Describe the role of brokers and consultants representing the employer for the employer’s group benefits plans
- Explain the activities of account executives in their role of helping facilitate the pre-sales activities of advisors
- Understand the methods of marketing when asking for bids including negotiated placement, competitive bidding and closed bidding
Format: Online learning & quiz
Pre-requisites: None
CE Credits: 3 CE
Note: Please check with your jurisdiction, designating body or professional association regarding their CE requirements.
Additional Material Required: Group Benefits Plan Management, Ann O’Neil, 2015 Edition, Members: $74.95 plus shipping & taxes | Non-members: $99.95 plus shipping & taxes
Completion Requirements:
- Passing mark is 60%
Completion of one online quiz (100% of overall mark)
- 24/7 access to the Advocis Learning Centre
- One-year window for completion of the Certificate Program
- Unlimited quiz attempts
- Download content
- Access to help for module-related questions
- ReadSpeaker text-to-speech
- Self-study: The Advocis online modules are designed as self-study, with success highly dependent on the student’s personal discipline. Students are presented with learning content and a quiz to assess their overall understanding.
Members: $405.00 plus shipping & taxes
Non-members: $688.50 plus shipping & taxes
Administrative Policies:
- All purchases are non-refundable
- There are no cancellations or extensions
- Expiry date is 1 year after registration
- Allow for 1-2 business days to access the module following the registration and payment process