Protect Medicare Guidance & Beneficiary Choice

Subject: Opposition to Proposed Legislation Limiting Medicare Agent and Broker Compensation

To Whom It May Concern,

On behalf of Advantage Plus Insurance Agency, the agents we serve, and the Medicare beneficiaries who rely on licensed insurance professionals for guidance, I respectfully submit this letter in opposition to the recently proposed legislation that would impose additional federal limits on Medicare Advantage agent and broker compensation.

First and foremost, we support strong consumer protections, ethical sales practices, transparency, and rigorous compliance standards. We agree that Medicare beneficiaries deserve accurate information, fair treatment, and protection from misleading marketing practices. However, we believe this proposal risks creating unintended consequences that would ultimately harm the very individuals it seeks to protect.

Licensed Medicare agents play a critical role in helping beneficiaries navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system. Medicare beneficiaries routinely depend on agents to compare plan options, verify physician participation, review prescription drug coverage, explain benefits, assist with enrollment, resolve coverage issues, and provide year-round support. These services are provided without direct cost to the beneficiary and often serve as a vital resource for seniors who would otherwise struggle to understand their healthcare choices.

The Medicare landscape has become significantly more complex over the past decade. Network structures, formularies, supplemental benefits, prior authorization requirements, and annual plan changes require careful review and explanation. Licensed agents invest substantial time and resources into maintaining compliance, completing annual certifications, meeting state licensing requirements, adhering to CMS regulations, participating in carrier training, maintaining Errors and Omissions coverage, and providing ongoing beneficiary support.

While we recognize concerns regarding isolated instances of misconduct within the industry, we do not believe broad compensation restrictions are the appropriate solution. Existing CMS regulations already provide extensive oversight of agent conduct, marketing practices, disclosures, training requirements, and enrollment activities. Additional restrictions on compensation may disproportionately impact ethical, compliant agents while doing little to address bad actors who intentionally disregard existing rules.

We are particularly concerned that reduced compensation could discourage experienced professionals from serving Medicare beneficiaries, especially in rural, underserved, and lower-income communities. Smaller independent agencies and local agents often provide personalized support that large call centers and national organizations cannot replicate. Limiting compensation may reduce access to this valuable guidance and leave beneficiaries with fewer trusted resources when making important healthcare decisions.

Furthermore, Medicare beneficiaries do not pay agents directly for their services. Compensation is provided by carriers and allows beneficiaries to receive professional assistance without incurring out-of-pocket costs. Reducing access to licensed guidance may increase confusion, create enrollment challenges, and ultimately make it more difficult for beneficiaries to select plans that best meet their healthcare needs.

We respectfully urge Congress and federal policymakers to focus enforcement efforts on deceptive marketing practices, misleading advertising, lead-generation abuses, and other noncompliant activities rather than adopting policies that may reduce beneficiary access to qualified Medicare professionals. Protecting consumers and preserving access to trusted guidance are not mutually exclusive goals.

Advantage Plus Insurance Agency stands with thousands of licensed agents, agencies, providers, caregivers, and Medicare beneficiaries who believe that access to professional Medicare guidance remains essential. We encourage policymakers to engage directly with agents, beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and community organizations to better understand the critical role that licensed Medicare professionals play in serving America's seniors.

We respectfully request that this proposal be reconsidered and that any future reforms prioritize both consumer protection and beneficiary access to qualified Medicare guidance.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

Bobby Bakhshandeh
Chief Executive Officer
Advantage Plus Insurance Agency
Website: AdvantageMedicareOptions.com

Submitted on behalf of Advantage Plus Insurance Agency, its affiliated agents, coalition supporters, and the Medicare beneficiaries who rely on licensed professional guidance.