Captive or independent Medicare agent: which should I see?
A captive agent works for one insurance company and offers only its plans. An independent agent, also called a broker, is contracted with several companies, can compare their plans side by side, and can enroll you. Either way, meeting a licensed agent is free. To see every plan in your area yourself, use Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Captive agents
A captive agent works for one insurance company and can only offer that company’s plans. You will see them at that company’s events and offices. Their advice is honest, but it is limited to one shelf.
Independent agents and brokers
An independent agent is contracted with several insurance companies and can compare their plans side by side. The words agent and broker are used interchangeably in Medicare; both are licensed by the state and certified by each company every year. The offices in this directory are independent.
No independent agent represents every plan, so ask which companies they work with. By law their marketing must say so, which is why you will see the notice about not offering every plan on these pages.
How to choose
- Already know you want a specific company? Its captive agents know those plans best.
- Want someone to compare several companies, enroll you, and be there next year? An independent agent, ideally one with an office you can visit.
- Want to look at every plan on your own first? Medicare’s Plan Finder at Medicare.gov, or 1-800-MEDICARE, lists all of them.
Common questions
Does it cost anything to meet with an agent?
No. Agents are paid by the insurance company whose plan you choose, so meeting with one costs you nothing, and you are never required to enroll.
Can I talk to more than one agent?
Yes. Nothing stops you from meeting several agents or visiting more than one office before you decide.
How do I know an agent is licensed?
Every agent has a National Producer Number. Agents listed in this directory link to their MedicareAgents.com profile, which shows it. Your state insurance department also has a license lookup.
Talk it through in person
Every office in this directory has licensed agents who will sit down with you, at no cost, and go through your situation. Find a Medicare office near you →
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