Exam Study Guide Questions And Well
Graded Solutions With Rationales
Updated 2026 2027
Ace your AHIP 2027 Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) certification
on your very first try! This comprehensive, premium study guide features
verified multiple-choice questions, accurate answers, and detailed rationales.
Perfectly aligned with the official 2027 CMS marketing guidelines, core
Medicare regulations, and modern compliance metrics. Avoid the 3-attempt
lockout and secure your passing score easily. Ideal for independent brokers,
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Question 1: Which part of Medicare is also known as Medicare Advantage?
a) Part A
b) Part C
c) Part B
d) Part D
Rationale: Medicare Part C combines Part A, Part B, and usually Part D coverage
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,into one managed care plan run by private insurance companies approved by
Medicare.
Question 2: Medicare Part B covers which of the following services?
a) Inpatient hospital stays
b) Hospice care
c) Outpatient physician services
d) Skilled nursing facility room and board
Rationale: Part B covers medically necessary outpatient services, doctor visits,
preventive care, and durable medical equipment (DME).
Question 3: Who is typically eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A?
a) Anyone who reaches the age of 65
b) Individuals aged 65 or older who have worked at least 40 quarters (10 years)
in Medicare-covered employment
c) Anyone enrolled in Medicaid
d) Only federal government retirees
Rationale: To qualify for premium-free Part A, an individual or their spouse must
have accumulated at least 40 quarters of work credits under the U.S. Social Security
system.
Question 4: What is the standard duration of the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for a
newly eligible Medicare beneficiary turning 65?
a) 3 months
b) 6 months
c) 7 months
d) 12 months
Rationale: The IEP is a 7-month window that includes the 3 months before the
individual turns 65, their birth month, and the 3 months following their birth month.
Question 5: If an individual misses their IEP, when is the General Enrollment Period
(GEP) held each year?
a) January 1 to March 31
b) October 15 to December 7
c) April 1 to June 30
d) January 1 to June 30
Rationale: The GEP runs annually from January 1 through March 31 for those who
missed their initial opportunity to enroll in Part A and/or Part B.
Question 6: When does coverage begin for an individual who enrolls during the
General Enrollment Period (GEP)?
a) The first day of the year following enrollment
b) The first day of the month following the month of enrollment
c) July 1st of that calendar year
d) Immediately on the day of enrollment
Rationale: Under current rules, GEP enrollments take effect the first day of the
month following the month in which the person signs up.
Question 7: A beneficiary enrolled in Original Medicare wants protection against
unlimited out-of-pocket costs. Which product serves this specific purpose?
a) A stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan
b) A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance policy
c) A Medicaid Managed Care plan
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,d) A dental and vision discount card
Rationale: Medigap policies are specifically designed to pay for the "gaps" in Original
Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, providing a
predictable limit on out-of-pocket spending.
Question 8: Which statement is true regarding the relationship between Medigap
policies and Medicare Advantage plans?
a) A beneficiary can use a Medigap policy to pay for Medicare Advantage copays.
b) It is illegal for an agent to sell a Medigap policy to a beneficiary who already
has a Medicare Advantage plan, unless they are switching back to Original
Medicare.
c) Medigap policies automatically include Part D prescription drug coverage.
d) Medicare Advantage plans are identical to Medigap policies.
Rationale: Federal law prohibits selling a Medigap policy to someone enrolled in a
Medicare Advantage plan because Medigap cannot pay for any Medicare Advantage
plan cost-sharing or deductibles.
Question 9: What type of Medicare Advantage plan restricts its network strictly to
contract providers, except in emergencies, and generally does not cover out-of-
network care?
a) Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
b) Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
c) Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)
d) Medical Savings Account (MSA)
Rationale: HMO plans generally require members to use network providers to
receive coverage, except in cases of emergency or urgent care outside the service
area.
Question 10: How does a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan differ from an
HMO plan?
a) PPOs never require a premium.
b) PPOs require referrals for all specialists.
c) PPOs allow members to see out-of-network providers, though usually at a
higher out-of-pocket cost.
d) PPOs do not cover emergency services out of network.
Rationale: PPO plans offer network flexibility, allowing members to receive services
out of network, but members pay lower cost-sharing when they stay within the plan’s
preferred network.
Question 11: What is a Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan?
a) A plan where the government pays all costs directly to the member
b) A Medicare Advantage plan where the plan determines how much it will pay
providers and how much the beneficiary must pay, provided the provider
accepts the plan's terms.
c) A plan that does not allow any prescription drug coverage
d) A type of Medigap policy issued by the state
Rationale: PFFS plans are Medicare Advantage options where the plan dictates
reimbursement rates, and members can go to any Medicare-approved provider who
agrees to accept the plan's terms of payment.
Question 12: Which type of plan is customized for beneficiaries with specific chronic
diseases, dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, or who reside in an institution?
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, a) PFFS Plan
b) HMO-POS Plan
c) Special Needs Plan (SNP)
d) MSA Plan
Rationale: Special Needs Plans (SNPs) limit enrollment to specific vulnerable groups
to provide specialized care management, formularies, and provider networks.
Question 13: A beneficiary is eligible for both Medicare and full state Medicaid
benefits. What category of SNP fits their situation?
a) D-SNP (Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan)
b) C-SNP (Chronic Special Needs Plan)
c) I-SNP (Institutional Special Needs Plan)
d) MSA (Medical Savings Account)
Rationale: D-SNPs are designed specifically for individuals who are dually eligible for
both Medicare and Medicaid.
Question 14: What specific requirement must a beneficiary meet to enroll in a
Chronic Special Needs Plan (C-SNP)?
a) They must be hospitalized for at least 30 consecutive days.
b) They must have one or more qualifying severe or disabling chronic
conditions verified by a physician.
c) They must be over the age of 75.
d) They must lose their employer-sponsored health coverage.
Rationale: Enrollment in a C-SNP requires medical verification that the beneficiary
has a qualifying chronic condition, such as diabetes, chronic heart failure, or end-
stage renal disease.
Question 15: Which of the following components is found in a Medicare Medical
Savings Account (MSA) plan?
a) A strict HMO network requiring specialist referrals
b) A high-deductible health plan combined with a special savings account
where Medicare deposits funds.
c) Comprehensive integrated Part D prescription drug coverage
d) No out-of-pocket spending limits
Rationale: MSA plans combine a high-deductible insurance policy with a medical
savings account funded by Medicare to pay for healthcare expenses before the
deductible is reached.
Question 16: When is the annual Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) held?
a) January 1 – March 31
b) Correct answered window varies by state
c) October 15 – December 7
d) September 1 – Choices deadline
Rationale: The AEP takes place from October 15 through December 7 every year,
allowing beneficiaries to change their MA or Part D plans.
Question 17: During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP),
which runs from January 1 to March 31, what action is a beneficiary permitted to
take?
a) Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage
plan, or drop an MA plan to return to Original Medicare.
b) Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
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