A Medicare Agent is a professional who assists a beneficiary in selecting and enrolling in the right Medicare health insurance plan. Medicare’s many options, benefits, rules, and exceptions can be overwhelming for beneficiaries to navigate on their own. Having an expert to guide them can save them time and money, and make their experience much more enjoyable.

There are two types of professionals who can assist a Medicare beneficiary, an agent and a broker. An agent and a broker are both licensed health insurance professionals who can help a Medicare beneficiary select a Medicare plan that suits their needs. However, the major difference between an agent and a broker is that an agent works for an insurance company, while a broker can offer plans from multiple insurance companies.

When choosing a Medicare agent or broker, choose one with experience in your state. Since plan availability, rules, and exceptions can differ from state to state, it’s important to work with someone who knows your local market well. Also, ask for references from past clients. This will give you an idea of their level of customer service and how they respond to questions.

You will also want to choose a Medicare agent or broker who is independent. A licensed independent agent is not tied to a particular insurance company and can sell policies from different providers. This gives them the ability to provide a wider range of plan options for their clients. Conversely, a licensed insurance agent who represents a specific health insurance company is known as a captive agent. These agents are experts in the plans their own company offers, and they may not be aware of other options that could benefit their clients.

Another option for a Medicare beneficiary is to contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program SHIP. SHIPs are federally funded to provide free, local, objective insurance counseling and assistance to review Medicare coverage options and plans. However, unlike a Medicare agent or broker, SHIP counselors cannot actively enroll a beneficiary into a Medicare health or drug plan.

The final option for a Medicare beneficiary is to find an independent Medicare insurance agent or broker. A licensed independent agent has contracts with multiple insurance providers and can offer Medicare beneficiaries a wide variety of plan options. They can provide unbiased recommendations and advice for their clients, and they are typically more knowledgeable about all the plan options available to them than a captive agent would be.

As a general rule, it’s best to avoid working with an agent or broker who only sells products from a single insurance company. Although they may have good intentions, they are likely to be biased towards the plans their own company offers, which can limit the options they can offer to their clients. This can be a costly mistake in the long run.