Do You Need a Medicare Insurance Agent?

Healthcare.com’s platforms do not include all health insurance companies or all available insurance products on its platform. An independent agent can partner with and sell policies for different insurance companies. The agent can choose the specific policies they want to sell from a multitude of providers. A licensed Medicare Supplement insurance agent can help you make sense of your options concerning your needs, both financially and health related. When you work together, you can use this information and their expertise to pick the best Medicare Supplement coverage combination.

To understand the quality of the plans offered through online search tools, we also looked at the representation of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans at these online agent sites by star ratings. Overall, the online agent tools we surveyed offer only a limited number of top-rated plans. For instance, in Miami–Dade County, Fla., the online agents offered only three or four of the 10 Medicare Advantage plans with five stars. None of the agents that we surveyed in Summit County, Ohio, or Harris County, Texas, offered the five-star Medicare Advantage plans available in those areas.

Regardless of where they live or work, a Medicare agent can help you find coverage nationwide as long as they hold a license in your state. Because Medicare is so complex, having a Medicare agent well versed in all Medicare rules and regulations is essential. Thus, there is no reason why you need to work with an agent geographically near you. Because of this, Medicare agents are unbiased about which carrier you enroll through. They will receive the same payment regardless of the cost of the plan. Thus, a good Medicare agent is encouraged to help you find the right plan for you, not for their pockets.

Acceptable Medicare and FWA training is usually offered by third parties, like America’s Health Insurance Plans , Pinpoint, Sentinel Elite, and the National Association of Health Underwriters . The most widely accepted Medicare and FWA training among carriers tends to be AHIP’s certification training, but acceptance of NAHU’s Medicare certification program is growing. Becoming an independent Medicare insurance agent takes planning and preparation but can be extremely rewarding as you build toward a six-figure residual income. The time this process takes will depend the number of carriers you intend to broker for your clients. All you need to do is use a health insurance license vendor and follow the specific details for your resident state. If you would rather study on your own time, there are course options in book and electronic formats.

Agents and brokers do not sell Original Medicare — Medicare Part A or Part B. They sell private Medicare plans. These include Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Medicare Part D drug plans — all sold through private insurers. Connect with a licensed Medicare agent to find the health care plan that works best for your situation and budget. Healthcare and Insurance are important for the continued well-being of all Arizonans. This page lists resources to obtain unbiased information on Medicare laws, Health Insurance and Counseling on relevant insurance products. It also can help you screen for other benefits that you may be qualified to receive.

PPO is a managed care plan in which you use doctors, hospitals, and providers that belong to the network. You can receive services outside of the network for an additional cost. You do not need a referral from a primary care physician to go to a medicare agent specialist. If you have Medicare and have limited income and resources, you may be able to get help paying for your Medicare monthly payment. You may also qualify for assistance with Medicare prescription drug costs, doctor and hospital visits.