The MOC Academy, launched by Model Optimal Care, is an online training library built for the fast-moving world of self-funded health plans. With self-funded plans now covering 71 percent of workers with employer health coverage, the need for current, evidence-based education has never been greater. The Academy steps in with ten programs and 184 hours of training, including the Certified Professional in Model Optimal Care (CP-MOC) designation and nine focused courses—two of them free.
Every course in The MOC Academy teaches a single method drawn from Jude Odu’s book Model Optimal Care: End US Healthcare Waste, One Health Plan at a Time, but updated for what has changed since the book went to print. The platform is designed to keep plan sponsors, brokers, consultants, and other professionals current with the rules and methods that apply now, not last year.
What Is The MOC Academy?
The MOC Academy is a subscription-based learning platform at MOClearn.com that offers a structured curriculum for everyone who works with or advises self-funded health plans. Its flagship offering is the CP-MOC designation, a comprehensive program of about 100 hours across six modules culminating in a 105-question final exam. Holders learn to assess a self-funded plan against the five Model Optimal Care principles and the duties ERISA and the Consolidated Appropriations Act place on sponsors.
Beyond the certification, the Academy includes courses on becoming self-funded, AI for health plan sponsors, fiduciary oversight, pharmacy benefit oversight, stop-loss and captive oversight, price transparency, claims payment integrity, utilization management, and benefits literacy. Each course is designed to be practical, with a fictional employer case study and hands-on exercises using MOC Fiduciary Intelligence, the company’s AI platform, at no added cost.
What Stands Out
The MOC Academy distinguishes itself through several thoughtful features that ensure the content remains trustworthy and immediately applicable.
- Dated and sourced. Every course carries dated update cards that show what has changed since the book was published, with the source for every figure. This transparency builds confidence in the material.
- Reviewed on a schedule. Fast-moving courses such as AI, pharmacy, and stop-loss are reviewed and updated every January and July. The rest are reviewed each January, so learners always have the latest information.
- Fair testing. Quiz and exam questions test only stable facts, avoiding the pitfalls of rapidly changing regulations.
- Working case. Every course follows Northfield Components, a fictional employer. Hands-on exercises run in MOC Fiduciary Intelligence without uploading real member data, ensuring privacy and relevance.
- Credit that counts. Every course earns a verifiable Certificate of Completion, and its continuing education credits count toward CP-MOC recertification, adding long-term value.
Who It’s For
The Academy serves a broad audience within the self-funded ecosystem. Plan sponsors, CFOs, benefits committees, and HR teams will find the foundational and advanced courses directly applicable to their day-to-day responsibilities. Brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, stop-loss carriers, and captive managers can deepen their expertise and stay ahead of industry changes.
The platform also caters to newcomers with free courses like “Becoming Self-Funded” and “Benefits Literacy for HR Teams,” making it accessible for those just starting their journey in self-funded health plans. Corporate seats are available at volume pricing, encouraging organizations to train entire teams.
What Makes It Worth Considering
In an industry where rules shift rapidly—Congress rewrote pharmacy benefit manager rules in 2026 and Medicare began testing AI in prior authorization—the Academy’s commitment to currency is a major advantage. The dated update cards and scheduled reviews mean learners can trust that what they study applies this year, with evidence in hand. The integration with MOC Fiduciary Intelligence allows for practical, risk-free exercises that reinforce learning.
The CP-MOC designation itself carries weight, endorsed by industry leaders like Ernie Clevenger, who praised the method for delivering “current methods, innovations, and practical arguments.” The two-year renewal cycle with 30 continuing education hours ensures that certified professionals remain current. For employers, the availability of reimbursement packets and the fit within IRS Section 127 educational assistance limits make it a financially accessible option for professional development.
Verdict
The MOC Academy is an essential, current resource for anyone involved in self-funded health plans. Its rigorous, dated, and sourced approach to education sets a new standard in an industry that demands up-to-the-minute knowledge. Whether pursuing the CP-MOC designation or taking a single course, learners gain practical skills backed by evidence and designed for immediate application. The platform’s thoughtful design, regular updates, and integration with AI tools make it a standout choice for professional training in the self-funded space.
Frequently asked questions
It is an online training library for self-funded health plan sponsors and advisors, offering courses and the CP-MOC designation.
Plan sponsors, CFOs, benefits committees, HR teams, brokers, consultants, TPAs, stop-loss carriers, and captive managers.
Fast-moving courses like AI and pharmacy are updated every January and July; others are reviewed each January.
Yes, 'Becoming Self-Funded' and 'Benefits Literacy for HR Teams' are free.
Certified Professional in Model Optimal Care, a comprehensive program of about 100 hours across six modules with a final exam.
Yes, every course earns a verifiable Certificate of Completion and CE credits count toward CP-MOC recertification.
Many employers cover professional education through educational assistance programs under IRS Section 127, and each paid course includes a reimbursement packet.
