It's a fair question, and the honest answer takes a minute. It's worth knowing, especially now, when the phone starts ringing for Annual Enrollment.
There are two main types of Medicare agents, and the difference matters to you.
Captive agents work for one insurance company or a small group of related companies, either as employees or under contract, and they sell only that company's plans. Many do good work for their clients. The trade-off for you is simple: they can only offer what that one company sells.
Independent broker agents, like me and the agents I work alongside, are not employees of any insurance company. We hold contracts with several carriers, so we can look at more than one option for you. When someone enrolls through us, the carrier pays us a commission, at no additional charge to you. You don't pay us, and you deserve to know how we're paid.
Do carriers sponsor events we attend and provide training and tools? Yes, because they want agents to represent them. That doesn't mean a carrier picks your plan. Our job is to recommend options that may suit your needs, and the decision is yours.
One caution: we represent several carriers, not every carrier, and most agents don't offer every plan in an area. Ask any agent three questions: Who pays you? Which carriers do you represent? Do you offer every plan available to me?
And if you didn't ask for a call and don't know who's on the line, you don't owe them a conversation.
At Clear Path Senior Benefits, we explain all of this up front so you can decide with confidence. If you'd like to talk it through, book a Discovery Session at https://clearpathsb.com/discover/ or call (713) 588-5498.
Has an agent ever told you who pays them? Tell us in the comments.
Clear Path Senior Benefits, PLLC, is a licensed insurance agency in Texas (Agency License #3507591) and other states. We are not connected with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program, Social Security, or any other government agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. By contacting 713-588-5498, you will be connected with a licensed insurance agent. John Nelson, licensed insurance agent in Texas and other states.
