Questions to ask a Medicare agent or broker
A good agent will welcome every one of these.
Many people use a licensed agent or broker to enroll in Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medigap. Agents can be genuinely helpful, but they're paid by insurance companies and may represent only some of the plans in your area. These questions help you understand whose options you're hearing.
About the agent
- Are you licensed in my state? (You can check with your state insurance department.)
- Which companies are you appointed with, and how many plans do you represent in my area?
- Are there plans in my area you can't offer me?
- How are you paid, and does your pay differ between plans or types of coverage?
About the recommendation
- Are all my doctors, hospitals and pharmacies in this plan's network for next year?
- Are all my drugs covered, on what tiers, and with what restrictions?
- What would I pay in a bad year, not just a good one?
- If I choose Medicare Advantage, could I get a Medigap policy later, and what would that involve in my state?
- Why this plan rather than Original Medicare with Medigap?
What agents must tell you
Agents and companies that market Medicare Advantage or Part D plans for several plans must tell you that they don't offer every plan in your area, how many organizations and products they represent, and that you can contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE for information on all your options. On calls, they must say this before discussing benefits.
Check it yourself
Before you sign, enter your drugs and doctors in the Medicare Plan Finder, or ask your state's SHIP for a free, independent second look.
Common questions
No. Plan premiums are the same whether you enroll through an agent, the plan or Medicare.gov.
Terms vary, but generally a captive agent represents one company and a broker or independent agent represents several. Neither necessarily represents every plan.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- CY 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D final rule (91 FR 17384), Federal Register. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D final rule (fact sheet), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medicare plan marketing rules, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.