I’ve talked to a few Medicare agents near me already, and everyone seems to push something different. How do I know you’re genuinely looking out for me and not just trying to make a sale?
Answered by 46 licensed agents
I ALWAYS DO A NEEDS ASSESMENT WITH YOU, TO DETERMINE WHAT PLAN WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU, I DONT WORK FOR AN INSURANCE COMPANY, I WORK FOR YOU,
WE ALWAYS REVIEW YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, AND EVEN IF THE PLAN YOU CHOOSE IS NOT ONE WE REPRESENT, WE WILL STILL HELP YOU GET ENROLLED IN THAT PLAN, IF IT FITS YOUR CRITERIA FROM THE NEEDS ASSESMENT. I WILL ALWAYS DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR NEEDS, WE OBJECTIVELY REVIEW AND DO NOT STEER YOU TO A PARTICULAR PLAN
Start by using a local broker who represents multiple carriers and multiple plan types. If you are talking to a captive agent who is employed by a carrier, that person can only tell you about their products and will push you towards their product. A well diversified broker should ask about your situation and show you how each type of plan will work for you. At that point, you can decide which type of plan you want to enroll in. If you call an 800 number from the T.V., you will be pushed into the plan that company sells.
Agents will get paid regardless of the type of plan you choose. What I try to do is educate the client on the advantages and the short comings of both types of plans. This allows the client to pick the type of plan they like best. I’m suppose to recommend after 37 years and I think you want me to do that. It’s time in grade and experience I bring. I’m in 13 states if that helps you.
1. If an agent is recommending an Advantage Plan or Prescription drug plan, are they showing YOU the non-biased recommendations from Medicare.gov?
2. If they are recommending Medicare Advantage, are they verifying all your doctors, networks, and prescription drug formulary verification?
3. If they are recommending Medicare Advantage, are they fully reviewing the entire Summary of Benefits, co-pays, and Maximum Out of Pocket, both in and out of network with YOU, before you sign up for the plan?
4. If they are recommending Medicare Supplements, are they showing you Plan G, Plan G High Deductible, and Plan N, as a minimum to ensure you can find a supplement that meets your needs?
5. If they recommend a supplement, are they giving you the option to pay annually (to save you 3% to 7% per year) over monthly bank drafts?
A Medicare "professional" is genuinely looking out for your best interests, focus on their transparency, their approach to your specific needs, and the range of options they offer. A trustworthy agent acts as an advisor, not just a salesperson, and should provide clear, unbiased information.
A good agent will ask detailed questions about your health, medications, doctors, lifestyle, and budget before recommending any plans. They should never try to fit you into a pre-determined plan. Trustworthy agents or brokers are usually independent and represent multiple insurance companies. They will explain the pros and cons of different plan types (Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement/Medigap) and help you compare plans side-by-side, rather than pushing a single, specific plan.
Great question and I’m really glad you asked. There are a lot of voices out there during Medicare season, and it can feel overwhelming. When every agent is saying something different.
I can’t speak to every other agent, but I can speak for myself and let you know how you can feel confident working with me.
myself and all of my agents are contracted with every major carrier in our area. That means I’m not tied to one company or one type of plan. I can lay everything out on the table so you truly see all of your options.
We start by going through your doctors, your prescriptions and what matters most to you. Your personal needs drive the entire conversation. I’m here to help. You understand the pros cons and differences - not push a plan.
My services are completely free to you. I get paid the same no matter which carrier you choose so I have zero incentive to steer you in any specific direction.
We make decisions together. My role is simply to guide you answer your questions and help you feel confident that you’re choosing the plan that fits your life not someone else’s agenda.
If you ever feel unsure at any point, just tell me…I’m here to help you navigate this with clarity and peace of mind.
I’m also available to you year after year and all year round not just for the enrollment piece.
An Agent who cares about his clients will educate them so they can make the best decision. I have been told by many clients that they were just sold a policy that the agent selected for them. Always look for an agent who asks questions about your health and budget.
It is important to seek out an agent who asks a lot of questions, and does not "push" you towards a particular plan. this kind of agent is more "solution based" than sales based. They are looking out for your best interest, and not theirs. Your choice of plan should fit your individual healthcare and budget needs. You should feel comfortable with the plan you select, how it works, and review ALL the benefits. I feel that choosing the right plan for the doctors you see and trust is more important than choosing a plan only for the ancilliary benefits it may offer.
There could be several reasons why different agents maybe pushing different plans. Some reasons could be the agent is only contracted with one or two carriers, or they are only selling commissionable plans, carriers do not pay commissions on some plans. It is important you ask any agent who they are contracted with. Ideally you want someone that is contracted with all of the carriers in your area to give you the best possible outcome.
That is an excellent question, and a very important one in today's telemarketing/sales world.
My personal thoughts on this...I recommend working with someone whom is Broker and Educator. A broker that works for you and is contracted with several carriers, not just a few. An educator that prides themselves on understanding your needs, the Medicare and Health industry and shares all needed information for you to feel comfortable making an informed decision. I do not believe brokers should make recommendations. I believe brokers should educate, answer all your questions fully, and then once all options have been laid out for you-- help you to enroll in your choice of plans/carriers.
You also want someone who is not just in it to write a policy.
You want someone with a proven track record of helping their clients, after they are enrolled. So, do not hesitate to ask them what customer service they provide, when/if you need assistance down the road.
Good luck! There are a lot of great Medicare Brokers out there!
Because I’ve been helping my clients for 49 years and the vast majority of my clients are from referrals from existing clients. To put it as you did “just to make a sale” is a short term perspective and doesn’t put the cliens needs 1st. It should always be what is best for each client.
Make sure you find out the "why" behind their reasoning for a certain product or carrier, and gauge how it lines up with what you told them your needs are. They should be making a file of your doctors and prescriptions, making note of any upcoming tests or surgeries. Ask to see multiple plans from the same agent and have them show you the actual differences. Extra credence goes to anyone that will come to you and go over things with you face to face.
First, you need to work with an independent advisor who offers as many plans as possible in your area. We are unbiased and not employed by the government or an insurance company. We can represent and compare multiple carriers, to save you time. We have insight regarding plans, carriers, changes, features because we do this year-round.
I provide my clients with a personalized plan analysis, based on your medications and providers. This analysis will compare multiple plans and show you why a recommendation is favorable for your needs. If you have questions or need clarification, don't be afraid to ask questions!
Brokers should guide you to the options that best fits your personal needs.
Do you know if they are independent agents or if they work for a specific carrier? An agent who works for a specific carrier will only review that carrier's plans and no plans from other carriers. Also, I would make sure that the agents are doing a detailed needs analysis with you to see what is important for you and your needs. At that point you should hear from them about some of the same policies availble in your specific area that others might be proposing as well. If you do not feel comfortable with the recommendation, you can always speak with another agent.
There are a lot of great agents out there who will have your best interests at heart and that will do the right thing for you. Don't be afraid to reach out until you find one that you are comfortable working with for your needs.
While there are still unscrupulous agents around, most agents are ethical. Sometimes the biggest issue is that an agent doesn't listen carefully to your concerns. And for most of us Medicare beneficiaries, those concerns are making sure our doctors are in network, our prescriptions are covered, and the solution fits our budget and lifestyle.
My goal is to help you find the plan that truly fits your needs, not to push a product. Here’s how I approach it:
Education first. I take time to explain how each option works — what’s covered, what’s not, and what to watch out for — so you can make an informed decision.
All carriers, not one. I represent multiple insurance companies, which allows me to compare plans side by side and recommend what best fits you, not the company.
Ongoing support. My help doesn’t stop after enrollment. I review your plan each year to be sure it still makes sense as your health or income changes.
Transparency. There’s never a cost to meet.
You’ll never be pressured — my job is to make Medicare clear and give you confidence in your choice. Would you like to schedule a quick call or meeting so I can walk you through your options and show you how I work?
As a Medicare broker, my job is to present the products available in the marketplace and then make a reccommendation based on a good needs analysis with the client. My role is to find out what is most important to the client and then find the products that will give them access to the care and coverage they are looking for. The customer ALWAYS comes first!
This is a great question, and the answer lies in how the agent works with you and what their priorities are. They should be paying attention to what is important to you, and if they don’t ask the right questions, don’t be afraid to tell them what matters most to you.
Do you want the lowest possible specialist copays? Or the most generous dental coverage? Those benefits typically will not exist on the same plan. Do you want a plan that gives you a credit back on your part B premium? You’ll very likely have higher copays.
What medications do you take? Some providers may not cover them all, or may have a lower (or no) deductible for Tier 3 and up medications.
Some agents may not be appointed with ALL providers in your area, so they can’t even talk to you about plans from their unappointed providers, while other agents may have a larger set of plans to offer. There’s a medicare required disclaimer every agent should read to you that tells you how many providers they work with and how many plans they offer.
Finally, how the agent gets paid can make a difference. In my area there’s really not a difference in the commissions that the provider pays me, and I’ve never taken that into consideration when recommending a plan. Some pay it all up front, some pay half up front and the other half throughout the year. It doesn’t really matter to me. I want a client who is happy with their coverage and wants to continue working with me. It makes no sense to sacrifice that long term relationship for a short term financial gain (if there is one). But, that’s me. Others may operate differently.
The net is that you should work with an agent you trust. One who digs into what your needs are, who explains WHY they’re recommending a plan, is up front about the providers they work with, and answers your questions fully and to your satisfaction. You should never sign up for a plan you don’t fully understand or have questions about.
Medicare Agents should verify all medications, ask you about which ancillary benefits are most important to you and find out how often you go to the doctor/specialists. Then they should check your providers to ensure they are in network if you don't want to change. They can then make a recommendation. I have never "pushed" one MA plan over another or tried to convince someone to enroll in a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage Plan, those decisions should be made by the client.
If an agent is in this business to just “make a sale” then you have found the wrong agent. An agent should always look out for your best interest based on your medical needs. As I often say, I treat my clients the way I expect my own mother to be treated.
I completely understand your hesitation and uncertainty about an agent's intentions.
As for myself, I know my own motives when clients reach out for help with their Medicare plans. My approach is straightforward: I present all verified information about Medicare and insurance options, ensuring I'm specific and transparent about any fine print or complex terminology so my clients fully understand everything. I also provide everything in writing. My goal is that through this thorough, honest process, my clients will recognize my genuine commitment to helping them.
If you're evaluating any agent, I'd suggest checking their Google reviews and seeing how long they've been in the business, these can be telling indicators of their reliability and track record.
Every agent should only be looking out for what is in your best interest. With that in mind, an agent should first ask your about your current health conditions/chronic illness, and any anticipated medical services, your list of prescriptions, doctors/specialists, hospital preferences and pharmacy preference(s). They should also understand your financial considerations for any budget for premiums, copayments, deductibles and out of pocket limits. With that information they should be presenting to you the different options you have for either Med Supp and a Prescription plan or a medicare advantage plan. Not all agents get certified with every carrier, so they may only have the ability to offer you the plans for the carriers that they are authorized to write policies for.
Great question!! Read the reviews for the agent that is contacting you. A good agent will not be pushy, will have a heart for service, and work in the best interest of you. If this is true, the reviews on that agent's website will reflect it.
Some Medicare Agents are what is called "Captive" which means they are contracted through a single company. While it may seem they are "pushing" a specific plan they're simply advising you on the plan they are able to provide. Many agents are contracted through several carriers or companies and can provide specifics on several plans.
Since 2011, I have been helping clients find the right Medicare plan to fit their individual needs. I believe in treating every client like family, which means focusing not on commissions, but on doing what is truly best for each person I serve.
We work with numerous Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans. We ask questions to see which one you would want. I really don't care which one or company you buy, just buy one of them that works for you. You could also go without coverage and just have Medicare, but then you would have unlimited liability.
I personally have taken care of my aged parents and witnessed the confusion and bombarding of commercials, mailers, and phone calls attempting to convince them who has the best offerings. I didn't take kindly to this treatment of the seasoned generations. As a result, I make every effort to hear what my clients need and want, share with them their different options, then teach them how to use the plan they've chosen. After their plan is in place I continue our relationship by making sure they are satisfied and able to use their plan throughout the year. Its not just a transaction to me, it a life long relationship.
That's a great question. Someone who is truly looking out for your best interest will first take the time to get to know you and your needs. Everyones health and situation in life are different. We need to know which benefits are important to you before we can recommend a plan. Secondly if you feel like an agent is "pushing" that would be a warning sign to me. We can recommend, expain, and make ourselves available to answer any questions, but the choice is yours. You should never feel pushed into a decision.
To determine if a Medicare agent is acting in your best interest, look for transparency, a focus on your specific needs, and a variety of options. A trustworthy agent will explain plans clearly, ask about your health and prescription needs to tailor recommendations, and offer a range of plans with their pros and cons, rather than pushing a single, potentially more profitable option.
Agents are gathering information so they can find a plan that is going to most benefit your needs. A local license agent that you can sit down with you in person and has access to all the plans will be the best way to find a plan that is best beneficial.
All agents are contracted differently. Make sure they’re with a reputable company that’s going over your options, costs, how Medicare works and what plans work the best for you. I work for Bankers Life and that’s how we are trained. If they are looking at your financial picture in retirement rather than just getting Medicare and leaving, that’s who you want to go with.
If the broker is looking or for you they will do a thorough needs analysis and multiple carrier/plan side by side comparison. You, the beneficiary, spotless be able to see the comparison and have all of your questions answered completely before following through with the enrollment.
That is a great question. I start with getting a good history, understanding all of their prescriptions and positions and healthcare needs right now and ensuring that the providers are in network in the hospital is in network. With regards to prescription, I want to ensure they’re on the formulary. And then finally asking about ability to pay for a Medicare plan. Affordability is a big part of considering options. Based on all of those answers, I’ll get a good picture and we’ll do the best we can to find the best plan.
A good agent will take your specific situation into account, so a plan that works best for one person’s situation may not work the best for their neighbor. An agent should look into things like whether a plan covers your specific doctors, whether or not the prescriptions you take are on the plan’s formulary, whether or not you have any special needs such as chronic conditions or enrollment in Medicaid which may make you eligible for added benefits, but also keep in mind that sometimes one plan may have more of certain coverage but less of another, or more copays for certain services but less for other services than another plan. For example, if you say you need dentures and want a plan with a high level of dental coverage, you might have to pay slightly more when you go to your primary care doctor or stay in a hospital with Plan A vs Plan B, while Plan C might have a Part B premium giveback of $80/month but it might not have dental or vision coverage while Plan D gives the client coverage for those things but doesn't offer a giveback. There are also other factors to consider, like deductibles, maximum out of pocket limits, monthly premiums, etc, so sometimes it's a matter of trying to find a client the things they ask for in a plan while making sure they don't lose benefits in other areas. Most plans will not offer every possible option you see advertised in one plan, because if you qualify for a card to pay for healthy groceries, you typically won’t qualify for a giveback, or one plan might offer things like $3000 in dental coverage but have a way higher deductible.
The old time honored monicker applies: "caveat emptor" let the buyer be aware.
You must be prepared when you first aproach the Medicare subject with an agent. What can your budget allow?, what is important to you when it comes to freedom of choice?. Do you travel? do you take more than five prescribed medications for a chronic condition?.
You must first answer all these questions honestly to yourself, then seek guidence in plan selection from an agent.
Most, in my experience as an agent, are honest and do care about their clients.
Likely, the Agents you’ve spoken to are only appointed with a single Medicare Plan provider, so they push you in the direction that they have a relationship with. Personally, as an Independent Insurance Broker (not Agent) I spend the time and the money each year to get certified with the Medicare Plan Carriers that have the best plans and the highest rated service levels for my clients. When I am assisting a Medicare client to make their best choice for a suitable and affordable plan, the key is to ask the right questions about their specific needs and desires for their coverage. I’m a new Medicare Plan Beneficiary myself, as I turn 65 in November of 2025. I am in a unique position to share my own reasoning with the plan (s) I personally selected with my clients. My recommendations for which Carrier and which Plan (s) are the right fit for my clients are based solely on their needs.
The conversation should be about you, not the Medicare broker. You are fully in control. Their recommendations should be based on what you've told them. Generally, the first decision is about which route to go: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. For most people, this decision is based on their health, how they want to access doctors / health services, the lifestyle they want to live and, of course, cost.
When it comes to carriers, plans and supplements, you're looking closer at the details of what's included. Again, the recommendation from the broker should still align with what you've told them about your health and preferences. So, make sure you're giving each person the same information / responses; if not, that absolutely could lead to differing advice.
It's also important to pay attention to who you choose to speak with as that can impact the options you're presented with or the advice given. If you're sitting with a Medicare agent who only works for / with on carrier, you may have fewer options than if you sit with a Medicare broker who works with multiple companies.
No agaent should be pushing anything on you. The agent should always present some choices and explain to you the differences with each plan. At the end it should always be your choice. If this does not happen I would look for another licensed agent
The answer to your question is in the word you used "push". No one should be trying to push you into anything.
If you're speaking to an independent agent that represents multiple carriers and multiple plans, then our job is to present options to you that best match your needs and let you decide which option you prefer.
If agents are pushing you one way or another then it's likely that they are trying to meet a quota and make a sale.
I give my clients many options, and strive to educate my clients. Personally I do not feel like I sell anything. The plan you select must work for you. I hope you find an agent you can trust.
There is a difference between a Medicare Agent and a Medicare Broker. The Agent is not licensed with many health carriers like a Broker is. You will get more carrier options with a Broker. Some believe Advantage plans are the way to go and others ssy the Supplements are the way to go. They ate both good but the bottom line is if you can afford to buy a Supplement a separate prescription drug plan, and separate dental this is the way to go many people can't afford a supplement plans that's why there are Advantage plans out there.
This is the tricky thing about working with a Medicare Agent, you can't tell if they are genuine or just trying to make a sale. Medicare agents do get paid by commission so making sales is important for them. I ALWAYS recommend using someone local who has an office you can visit, these are the ones plugged into your community and it actually matters that their clients are satisfied. I NEVER recommend doing business with agents who are only willing to communicate over the phone, unless you know them and meeting in person is not realistic due to logistics.
First, I’d like to understand what matters most to you, as well as what’s less important. From there, I’ll recommend plans that I believe are the best fit for your needs. There will never be any pressure to choose a specific plan unless I truly feel it’s the right one for you
I always like to look at your needs and budget and go with what you need, I always explain all the options and let you make the choice for what is best for you. I always look at each individual person and go with what is best for them.
That’s a very fair question, and I’m glad you asked it. The truth is, most Medicare agents are genuinely trying to do what they believe is best for the person sitting in front of them. Just like in any profession, though, we all develop preferences over time based on our experiences, the clients we’ve served, and the outcomes we’ve seen. That can sometimes come across as “pushing” one option over another, when in reality it’s often shaped by what’s worked well for the majority of their clients.
For example, I personally tend to prefer Original Medicare paired with a Medicare Supplement because I value flexibility, predictable out-of-pocket costs, and nationwide access to providers. Over the years, I’ve seen that structure provide peace of mind for many retirees. That said, if someone prefers a Medicare Advantage plan, I don’t dismiss that. In those cases, I usually recommend a specific carrier—not just because of the benefits on paper, but because of the company’s reputation, financial strength, and, most importantly, the satisfaction and service feedback I’ve consistently received from my own clients.
My role isn’t to “sell” you a particular plan—it’s to educate you on how each option works and help you choose the one that fits your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and comfort level with risk. If at the end of our conversation you feel informed and confident in your decision, whether you enroll through me or not, then I’ve done my job. I want long-term relationships built on trust, not one-time transactions.
If you feel pressured in any way by an agent, retreat and find another agent. If your agent does not show you plans from multiple carriers, then they do not have your needs as their priority. You should be able to see a comparison of plans from multiple carriers and have the option to choose the plan that best fits your needs.
