Medicare Supplement Agents Brokers Find Local Medigap Agents

All Medicare agents and brokers must be licensed to operate in your state. You can use the NAIC locator tool to get in touch with your state insurance department to verify if someone claiming to be an insurance agent or broker is licensed. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program is a free health benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries.

Third, beneficiaries’ experience with their agents and the overall quality of the service are not factored into the commission model, although there is precedence for this within Medicare. For example, MA and Part D plans are measured through the star ratings program and are compensated differently for delivering a high-quality member experience. Pay-for-performance could be considered part of the compensation model for agents and agencies.

Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. Our local, licensed Medicare insurance agents are here to help you find the right insurance plan that meets your needs and budget. Medicare is highly regulated and many of the carriers have different contracting and appointment processes to get their agents ready to sell . You will need to be patient during this process as it can take some time to get your approvals from each company. You must complete a contract with each insurance company in order to be appointed to sell.

Captive AgentsCaptive agents receive a salary by the insurance company they represent plus a lower commission rate than independent agents. Agents and brokers all receive commissions, but some agents also receive a salary from an insurance company. Keep records of your health care visits, services, and equipment provided, significant lab work, etc. Also, file copies of any bills or notices from insurance companies, doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc. as well as canceled checks. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System is Arizona's Medicaid agency that offers health care programs to serve Arizona residents. Individuals must meet certain income and other requirements to obtain services.

You make recommendations about obtaining supplemental insurance and help people understand their options for prescription drug, vision, and dental policies. Independent insurance agents are authorized to enroll individuals in Medicare plans and contract with one or, typically, more insurance carriers. Though it is not required, many agents affiliate with broker medicare agent agencies that provide services such as marketing, technology, training and compliance, and administrative support. Licensed agents are compensated by the carriers directly on a per-enrollee basis. The more enrollments and renewals that agents generate, the higher their earnings. This means that carriers’ and agents’ incentives for growth are perfectly aligned.

Maximum commissions for MA and Part D are set annually by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and are commensurate with fair market value . Within the maximums set by CMS, insurers determine the exact compensation level they will pay agents, which can vary by product or contract. CMS maximums are set nationally, although they may be higher in certain states because of cost of living and other conditions.

CMS regulates Medicare plans, the insurance companies, agents, and agencies who sell them. Centene’s Medicare footprint has grown exponentially in the past several years, resulting in several Medicare Advantage products and brands being offered across 36 states. We have built a strong and competitive product portfolio that provides high-quality plans to support your beneficiaries’ entire well-being. We continue to invest in user-friendly broker tools, including the launch of Centene Workbench this year. We are always working to improve white glove service initiatives and operational procedures to provide the best experience possible. We also give you affordable options you can feel good about representing to your Medicare beneficiaries.

Always review your Medicare Summary Notice or Part D Explanation of Benefits, and compare these notices to your own records and receipts to make sure they are correct. Beware of people who say they’re from an organization such as Medicare and they need to know your Medicare number. If they truly were from Medicare, they wouldn’t need to ask. Your Social Security, Medicare, and bank account numbers can be used to defraud you. You also should avoid sending personal information on the phone or over an unsecure Internet connection.

As a result, agents may find themselves choosing between their income and beneficiaries’ needs. Below is a link to a file containing the amounts that companies pay independent agents/brokers to sell their Medicare drug and health plans. Companies that contract with Medicare to provide health care coverage or prescription drugs typically use agents/brokers to sell their Medicare plans to Medicare beneficiaries.

If you enrolled in Medicare Supplement or Medigap, you can change your plans anytime but you may be subject to underwriting. Although there is no requirement to work with an agent or broker, you may choose to do so for the following reasons. In contrast, most people turn to the internet to collect information. Many start at Medicare.gov, and while this is an excellent source of the basics, you may become overwhelmed with the amount of available information. With a Medicare agent, you will be able to talk to a live person available to answer any questions and clear any confusion. The easiest way to connect with a licensed Medicare agent in your state is by completing our online questionnaire, and we will connect you with a personal Medicare agent.