Chartered Benefit Consultant

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  What is covered in the course?

A:  The course deals with the evolution of Consumer Driven Health Insurance (CDHI) programs:  Self-Funding, Partial Self-Funding, FSA, MRA, HRA, MSA, and the new HSA - both the tax-qualified and non-qualified versions. 

Q:  How much time is involved with this course?

A:  The classroom seminar version of the course requires 15 hours of actual time spanning two days.  The interactive computer (IC) version requires between one and two hours of your time per day for 14 out of 16 days. 

Q:  Is there any “homework” associated with the class?

A:  In the seminar version, the only “homework” is to read the entire 62-page text before coming to class so you can be prepared to take notes and discuss all aspects of the course while in class.  You also are to bring a brief bio for your first day that can be circulated among the students so that everyone can get to know everyone else in the class.  Obviously, the (IC) version has daily homework consisting of both short answers and short essays regarding certain aspects of the curriculum.  Due to the unique nature of the insurance broker industry, homework assignments that are due any day of a particular week are given full credit if at least submitted before midnight (CT) on the Sunday following the date the assignment was originally due.

Q:  Will there be a final exam?

A:  Yes.  There will be a final exam, taken on the Internet on the 16th day of the (IC) version and immediately after a two-day seminar course.  

Q:  What does the final exam consist of?

A:  The final exam consists of 20 multiple choice questions (worth 3 points each) and 2 case study questions (worth 20 points each).

Q:  What is considered a “passing grade”?

A. A passing grade for the seminar course is 70%.  Because students earn points for homework turned in, a passing grade in the IC version is 80 points (out of a possible 120).

Q:  Since I take the final exam via the Internet, is there a deadline for submission of the exam?

A.  Yes.  You will be instructed as to when the exam answers are due to be submitted for grading.  If an IC class, the exam answers are due within 24 hours after the exam questions are posted.

Q:  What if I have technical problems with my computer and cannot take and submit the exam in the required time?

A:  You must IMMEDIATELY contact either the NAABC office, its web master or your instructor who will note the time of your call.  You will be given an extension of time to submit your exam based on the estimated time your technical problem will take to be resolved.

Q:  What if I do not achieve a passing grade?  Will I be allowed to re-take the exam? 

A:  Yes.  Once your exam is graded, it will be returned to you with comments.  You make take the course via IC as often as you want and be able to take the exam at least one additional time at no extra cost.

Q:  Will this course count toward continuing education credits in my home state?

A:  You may request that a maximum (depending on how many credit hours each state is willing to grant) of 15 CE credit hours be "dovetailed" with completion of this course.  For most states, completion of the final exam is not part of the requirement to receive CE credits – only regular class attendance is.  As of this writing, the NAABC is certified as a provider of CE credits in twenty-five states with more added every month.

Q: Are there any other "perks" associated with obtaining the CBC designation?

A: Yes. You receive a complimentary 12-month membership in NAABC and the listing on their public access "Member Directory"; a free banner ad or credit toward web construction; and a listing on the “Chartered Benefit Consultant Directory” which is linked to the HSA web sites of the US Treasury, CashDoctor and other organizations to provide the public an opportunity to locate you for assistance in setting up a consumer-driven health plan.   

Q:  What is the tuition for this course?

A:  The normal tuition is $450 WITH CE credits or $400 W/O CE credits requested or granted.  If we receive your registration materials at least 10 days prior to the first day of class, you will receive a substantial discount on your tuition. 

Q:  If I miss the deadline for the discount, must I pay the normal tuition all at once?

A:  No.  We have payment options available.  Please inquire at NAABCX@aol.com or by calling 800-627-0552.

Q:  My prime carrier is offer a training class on HSAs.  Besides getting an advance designation, why should I consider taking your class?

A. While the professional agent should be encouraged to receive as much education in Health Savings Accounts and the entire Consumer-Driven Health Plan (CDHP) market as they can, there is a difference in the source of such training.  Typically, insurance education is provided by either insurance carriers (product-specific oriented – theirs!) or by Continuing Education Providers (where this course is just one of many).  The National Association of Alternative Benefit Consultants (NAABC) is the only professional insurance trade organization that has been exclusively representing insurance professionals who are involved in the CDHP market place since early 1999 (before it was considered “fashionable” to do so).  As such, the NAABC has been in the political forefront in the battle to expand the old Medical Savings Account – because CDHP is the only weapon we have to save private-sector health insurance!   A glance at the table below describes the differences between education providers in this market:

Category	Carrier Training	CE Company Training	NAABC Training
Is HSA and/or CDHP training offered?	Usually and more will offer as time goes on.	Some but more courses will be offered.	Yes.  NAABC ONLY offers training in CDHP.
Are CE credits offered? If so, how many?	Usually, 3 CE hours	Ranges from 3 to 8 hours by state.	The CBC course = 15 hrs The Intro to CDHP course = 3 hrs
Is (are) the course(s) free?	Usually yes – in order to train you to sell their product	Never	No.  Because our training is “generic” and not tied to selling a specific product, we must charge  tuition.
How are courses offered?	Usually, seminar only	Seminar, self-study and some “on-line”.	Self-study (intro course only), seminar and “on-line”.
Is a discount available for future courses	N/A	Not usually	Yes.  Anyone taking the Intro course is afforded a discount when entering the CBC course
Is an advanced designation offered?	No.	No.	NAABC offers the “CBC” advanced training designation course.
Are you provided assistance in recruiting prospective sales?	Not directly.  Only thru the knowledge obtained.	No	Yes.  All CBC grads automatically become NAABC members and listed on a public access directory as a “CBC”