How to know if a Medicare agent is legitimate?

Question

Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA · Accepted Answer

Your first step should always be verifying their insurance license information on the state’s Department of Insurance (DOI) website. Beware of door-to-door sales; Medicare agents cannot solicit business at your home without an appointment and Medicare will never send an agent to your home to enroll you into a plan. A legitimate Medicare agent will take the time needed to understand your specific needs and recommend products to meet those needs. Look for an agent that represents multiple private insurance companies. They should lay out all your coverage options (Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Pharmacy (Part D) plans, and Medicare Advantage plans) and provide unbiased guidance. You can also search the internet (Google) to see if they have any reviews or ask for client references.

Answered by Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA on May 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, NM, NV & TX

Answered by Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

All insurance agents who sell Medicare plans must be licensed in the state where you live and registered with that state. These agents are assigned a National Producer Number (NPN) by the state of their residence, which indicates their licensing status. Insurance commissions in all states can verify that the agent is a licensed professional authorized to provide you with any insurance policy. They must be registered with each state.

Answered by Larry Dalton on May 5, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

William Lawler · Answer

If you want to know if a Medicare agent is legitimate, ask for their National Producer Number (NPN). If they can`t produce this 7-digit number, hang up.
Bill Lawler      636-500-1892   NPN 4991850

Mark Cunningham · Answer

Check for Licensing and Certification
The first step in verifying the legitimacy of a Medicare agent is to ensure they are properly licensed and certified. All Medicare agents must be licensed in the state where they operate. You can verify their license through your state’s Department of Insurance website. Additionally, agents must be certified by Medicare to sell Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. Ask the agent for their National Producer Number (NPN) and verify it on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website.

   Verify Company Affiliation
Legitimate Medicare agents usually work for reputable insurance companies or agencies. Confirm the agent’s affiliation with the company they claim to represent. You can contact the insurance company directly to verify if the agent is authorized to sell their Medicare plans. Be cautious of agents who are vague or hesitant to provide this information.

   Be Wary of High-Pressure Tactics
Legitimate Medicare agents will provide you with all the necessary information and allow you time to make an informed decision. Be cautious of agents who use high-pressure sales tactics or who insist on making a quick decision. This can be a red flag indicating that the agent may not have your best interests in mind.

   Be on the lookout for red flags that may indicate an agent is not legitimate:
•	The agent asks for your personal information, such as Social Security number or bank details, over the phone or online without a secure connection.
•	The agent offers a plan that seems too good to be true or promises unrealistic benefits.
•	The agent is unwilling to provide written materials or documentation about the plans they offer.

   Schedule a Face-to-Face Meeting
If possible, arrange a face-to-face meeting with the agent. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions, review materials, and get a sense of their professionalism. A legitimate agent will be willing to meet in person.

Charles Boone · Answer

In my opinion, a legitimate Medicare agent or broker will assist individuals in finding a plan that best suits their specific needs rather than forcing them to fit into a pre-determined plan. While some agents or brokers may attempt to sell you specific benefits of a plan without knowing your medical history, others will take the time to gather information from you, such as your current medications, preferred providers, and other relevant details. This allows these agents or brokers to ensure that the plans they present cover your medications at the lowest possible cost and include your preferred providers in the network.

Answered by Charles Boone on May 5, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Charles Boone Medicare Insurance Agent

Melanie Baxter Black · Answer

You can look up any licensed Agent in the State of Texas visiting Texas Dept of Insurance website: 

    https://txapps.texas.gov/NASApp/tdi/TdiARManager

This will show you if the agent is active, currently licensed and what insurance companies they are contracted with.

Paula Duffy · Answer

I am a licensed agent that has to register with the state.
I am certified to sell for Unitedhealthcare

Steven Bleicher · Answer

An agent must be licensed by the state that YOU live in. Calling the state license department will confirm that. Since an agent must know comprehensive information about Medicare, a more compelling reason to check on this is - Has the agent lost his license in your state due to unscrupulous or illegal prior actions?

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Peck · Answer

Licensing is public knowledge. You can look up on your states government site or on NIPR. You can also ask them for their license number.

Bill Wheeler · Answer

If in doubt request to see their insurance agent license. Authorized by the state  they originated in.

Joanna Gebhart · Answer

When discussing Medicare with an agent it is important to make certain that they have a current license with the state you are in.  You can go online to the states insurance website and search for Medicare agents to confirm their legitimacy.

If they advertise and/or give you a business card they must have their Insurance License Number on the card.  Licensed agents spend many hours in the summer learning about new changes for the upcoming year and are tested by each carrier they represent to make sure they are re-qualified each year.

Aaron Lewis · Answer

Knowing if a Medicare insurance agent is legitimate you should check to make sure they have the proper licensing . You can also check with the Insurance companies they are representing .

Elayne Cotton · Answer

A legitimate Medicare agent will be morally compliant at all times with all the rules and guidelines that are set in place by the federal agency, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. They will be properly licensed in all states where they offer services. They will be properly approved and accredited by the carriers whom they are representing.

Answered by Elayne Cotton on May 6, 2025

Agent Licensed in CO & TX

Answered by Elayne Cotton Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

To determine if a Medicare agent is legitimate, verify their license and certifications with your state's insurance department and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Look for independent brokers who can compare multiple plans and avoid agents who push specific plans or offer excessive incentives. 
Key points to look for in a legitimate Medicare agent:
License and Certification:
All Medicare agents must be licensed in the state where they sell plans and certified by the insurance companies they represent. 
Independent Broker:
Independent brokers can offer plans from multiple companies, providing a broader range of options. 
No Sales Pressure:
A legitimate agent will educate you about your options and won't pressure you to choose a particular plan. 
Specialized Knowledge:
Look for agents who specialize in Medicare and understand the nuances of different plans. 
Avoid Excessive Incentives:
Legitimate agents should not offer gifts, free meals, or cash incentives to enroll in a plan. 
No Door-Knocking or Unsolicited Calls:
Legitimate agents will not visit your home uninvited or make unsolicited phone calls. 
Be Skeptical of Vague Answers:
If an agent gives vague answers or avoids providing specific details about coverage, it's a red flag. 
Check Reviews and References:
Look for online reviews or ask for client references to gauge the agent's reputation and experience. 
Report Suspicious Activity:
If you encounter any unethical behavior or suspected scams, report it to the CMS and the FTC.

Gary Henderson · Answer

All license agents have a national producer number. You can go to the NPR website to validate that. I just asked him for that number and then go do your research. You can also do general Google searches on that. I post my own information in my emails about my licensing. Also, I send customers a text message when I first speak to them which has that all that information so that they can be comfortable that they're talking to someone who is legitimate

Answered by Gary Henderson on May 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Gary Henderson Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Every licensed agent is provided with a National producer number.  You can ask for that number and verify them on Google with their name and NPN.

Mike Henry · Answer

Check with the state board of insurance in your state. Every Agen has to pass a test to sell in his/her state. Interview 2-3 agents.

Todd Bostic · Answer

Get their NPN#. Once you get their license number check, for example in Texas you could check the Texas department of insurance to verify that their license is in good standing.

Steven Rodriguez Giudicelli · Answer

To verify a Medicare agent's legitimacy, check their insurance license through your state's Department of Insurance website, such as Florida's. Be cautious of agents who pressure you for immediate enrollment or sensitive personal information.

Answered by Steven Rodriguez Giudicelli on June 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL & TX

Answered by Steven Rodriguez Giudicelli Medicare Insurance Agent

China Conley · Answer

You can ask for the agent's NPN and look it up on the National Insurance Producer Registry. You will be able to see their information which proves they are legit.

How to know if a Medicare agent is legitimate?

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How to know if a Medicare agent is legitimate?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website