May 22nd 2025
By Ari Parker
Discover how to find a qualified Medicare broker who can help you navigate your healthcare options, compare plans, and enroll in coverage that meets your specific needs and budget.
By Jordan McElwain
By Ari Parker
Medicare brokers are a valuable, no-cost resource that helps countless individuals understand their Medicare options and choose the right coverage for their needs.
Many people use Medicare brokers when first enrolling in Medicare, but they can also help people who are already enrolled compare plans and ensure that they’re getting the best coverage possible for their health and budget.
In this article, we’ll explain the different types of Medicare brokers, how they operate, and where to find them to help you make informed healthcare decisions.
Qualified Medicare brokers can help you compare plans and understand the complexities of the Medicare marketplace while saving you time and money.
There is no cost to the consumer when working with a licensed Medicare broker.
By asking you questions about your health, prescriptions, retirement plans, and budget, a Medicare broker can offer personalized Medicare recommendations to ensure you’re making the most of your coverage.
A Medicare broker is an advisor who helps individuals navigate the Medicare marketplace. Medicare brokers represent multiple insurance companies. Services Medicare brokers typically provide include:
Helping you evaluate different Medicare plan options
Explaining where you can learn more about your options and enrollment
Helping you enroll in a Medicare plan
At first glance, Medicare brokers and Medicare agents appear to offer similar services. Both agents and brokers help people compare Medicare plans and evaluate their benefits according to their needs. But there is one key difference between how the two operate:
Medicare brokers represent multiple insurance carriers and can help you shop for the right provider.
Medicare agents typically work for one insurance carrier and only sell policies from that single provider.
Using a Medicare broker can help to cut through the confusion of finding the right Medicare coverage for your individualized health needs and preferences. In many cases, working with a licensed Medicare broker can also save you time and money during this process.
There are several benefits of working with a licensed Medicare broker, including:
Access to multiple insurance carriers and plan options: Because Medicare brokers represent multiple carriers, you’ll receive clear and helpful information about different plans offered by various insurers. Licensed brokers will work with you to evaluate each plan’s benefits and restrictions to determine which plan is right for you.
Personalized guidance based on your health needs and budget: Medicare plans are not one-size-fits all. Brokers take your health history, needs, and budget into consideration when making recommendations for you.
No additional cost: There is no cost to you when working with a Medicare broker. Their compensation is paid by the insurance companies they represent.
Ongoing support after enrollment: Medicare brokers continue to offer guidance even after enrollment to ensure that your coverage is still working for you.
If you’re new to Medicare and feeling overwhelmed by the options available, working with a licensed broker can help you make decisions about your coverage that work for your health and budget.
But there are other instances in which you may want to consider using a Medicare broker, even if you’re not new to the process:
If you’re looking to compare multiple plans across carriers, a licensed broker can get you the information you need to evaluate your options.
If you need help accessing, completing, or submitting enrollment paperwork.
If you’d like assistance with annual plan reviews.
Once you’ve decided to work with a Medicare broker, understanding the differences between the types of brokers available will help you find someone who meets your needs.
Independent Medicare brokers vs. captive agents: As mentioned above, captive agents work for one insurance company and can only evaluate and offer plans sold by that carrier. Independent brokers represent multiple carriers and can help you evaluate plans offered by different insurance companies.
Online brokers vs. in-person consultations: Some brokers offer online, virtual, or phone support while others offer in-person consultations. Meeting with a broker online may offer greater flexibility and convenience, but some people prefer to meet with their brokers in-person.
There are several ways you can connect with a qualified, licensed Medicare broker. We’ve outlined some of these options below.
Chapter’s Medicare advisors are licensed and experienced with helping you make informed decisions about your Medicare coverage. Whether you’re comparing plans, filling out paperwork, or working to meet an enrollment deadline, Chapter can give you the tools and support you need to make the most out of your Medicare.
Chapter’s licensed advisors are completely independent, which means they’re able to explain every plan available to you in your area. They also get paid the same amount, regardless of which plans they recommend, which ensures that they’ll always have your best interests at heart.
Get qualified and trusted guidance today by reaching out to one of our licensed Medicare Advisors.
To search for brokers in your area, you can ask for referrals from friends, family, or healthcare providers.
Several online directories also have broker search tools that can help you connect with an agent, broker, or assister. For example, HealthCare.gov’s directory connects you to someone based on your ZIP code.
Whether you find a broker through a friend or online directory, it’s important to confirm that the person you’re working with is licensed as a Medicare broker in the state in which you live.
Licensing requirements for Medicare brokers include getting their health insurance license, completing America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) certification, and completing annual medicare certifications.
In order to check a broker's qualifications, you can ask for their license number in order to check their status with your state’s insurance department. Keep in mind, these records are online and will require you to input the information on your state insurance department’s website. You can also contact the AHIP to confirm their accreditation.
After verifying a broker’s credentials, there are several questions you can ask to determine whether or not they are someone you want to work with on your Medicare coverage.
Questions to ask a potential broker include:
Which insurance companies do you represent?
How are you compensated?
What is your experience with Medicare plans?
How do you determine which plans to recommend?
What ongoing support do you provide?
Knowing how to spot the signs of a quality Medicare broker and what their work should and shouldn’t entail can help ensure that you’re working with a verified professional.
There are several things a Medicare broker should never do or say when working with you to find coverage:
A verified broker will never say that they are “from Medicare” or that “Medicare asked them to call or see you”.
A verified broker will never send you unsolicited messages or phone calls.
A verified broker will never go door-to-door leaving unsolicited materials.
A verified broker cannot speak with you in a healthcare setting except in common areas.
A verified broker will not conduct marketing or sales activities at an educational event.
Working with a licensed Medicare broker should feel like they are working for you, not the insurance companies. A quality Medicare broker will make you feel informed, listened to, and never pressured to purchase one particular plan.
During your first meeting with a qualified Medicare broker, you can expect them to ask specific, individualized questions about your health. You can also expect them to educate you on the complexities of the different plans available to help you find the plan that best suits your needs.
To prepare for your first meeting, consider bringing with you:
Your current health insurance and coverage information.
A list of any prescription medications you’re currently taking.
Information about your medical budget and other financial concerns you may have.
In addition to asking about your health needs and budget, you can expect your Medicare broker to ask you about your plants for retirement. Once they’ve collected all the information they need, many brokers will provide a timeline for when you can expect to receive their recommendations.
If working with a Medicare broker isn’t right for you, there are some other options available.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) are federally funded to provide free, local, and objective counseling for people considering Medicare coverage and plans. Though they can’t enroll you in a plan, they can help you understand your Medicare options and make recommendations based on your needs.
Medicare offers a comparison tool on its website that can help you evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of various Medicare health and drug plans offered in your area. You can access the tool by logging into your Medicare account or by entering your zip code here.
Finding the right Medicare broker can help you understand the complexities of the Medicare marketplace to ensure that you enroll in a plan that addresses your unique health needs and budget.
Working with a qualified broker will help you engage with the process while feeling empowered and informed.
At Chapter, our licensed Medicare advisors work with you to make three key Medicare decisions: when to enroll in Medicare, how to get the most value from Medicare, and how to keep your Medicare coverage working for you.
We’re here to support you regardless of where you are on your Medicare journey. To speak with a licensed Chapter Medicare advisor, call today at 855-900-2427 or schedule an appointment when it’s convenient for you.
As a consumer, there is no cost to using a Medicare broker. Their fee is paid by the insurance companies they represent.
A Medicare broker represents several insurance carriers and can help you evaluate plans offered by different insurance companies. Medicare agents usually work for one insurance company and can only evaluate and offer plans sold by that carrier.
Yes, Medicare brokers can help you evaluate Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans to decide which plan is right for you.
You can reach out to a Medicare broker if it’s your first time signing up for Medicare, if you want to re-evaluate your current plan in comparison with other options, or during enrollment period.
Find Local Help. (n.d.). HealthCare.gov.
Agent/Broker Dos and Don'ts. (2021, September). Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
