How We Get Paid
Our tools and guidance are available at no cost to you. We may receive compensation from insurance carriers when you enroll in a plan through us.
How Our Work Is Funded
Carrier compensation helps support our tools, enrollment assistance, and ongoing member support. Compensation arrangements vary by carrier and plan.
We explain how our business is funded without publishing confidential carrier contract terms or specific payment amounts. Our commitment is to recommend coverage based on your needs, regardless of what we earn.
Your Needs Come First
Some plans pay broker commissions; others do not. Compensation arrangements differ across Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medicare Supplement plans. Original Medicare itself does not pay us a commission.
We help you understand your options, including coverage that may not pay us. Our commitment is to explain the tradeoffs and recommend coverage based on your needs, regardless of what we earn.
Using our tools does not commit you to enrolling through us. If your current plan meets your needs, keeping it may be the right choice. For our members, our support continues after enrollment.
Understand Your Plan Costs
Compare the plan, coverage, and costs together. We help you understand what you may pay before you choose.
Your insurance company sets the premium for your plan. When comparing options, check the same plan and coverage year, along with deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) premiums can vary by company, location, and personal circumstances. Discounts and underwriting may also affect the price. Compare quotes for the same plan letter and confirm your final premium with the insurer.
Our tools and guidance are free to use. We can help you understand the costs and tradeoffs of your options without requiring you to enroll through us.
Why Some Plans Don't Pay Broker Commissions
Some plans do not pay independent brokers. That does not tell you whether a plan is a good fit for your needs.
Our commitment is to put your interests first, explain the tradeoffs, and help you make an informed choice.
How Compensation Works by Plan Type
Different plan types have different compensation arrangements. Here is a general overview, without confidential carrier terms or specific payment amounts.
Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD)
Carrier PaysPart D Prescription Drug Plans
Carrier PaysMedicare Supplement (Medigap)
Carrier PaysOriginal Medicare (Parts A & B)
$0 CommissionAbout Administrative Fees & Marketing Payments
Carrier agreements may also include compensation for administrative or marketing services, such as compliance training, record-keeping, and member follow-up. These arrangements vary by carrier.
Field Marketing Organizations (FMOs), which help connect carriers and brokers, may also receive compensation from carriers. We describe these arrangements in general terms without publishing confidential agreements or specific payment amounts.
How We Rank Medicare Advantage Plans
Read about the factors, calculation methods, and limitations behind our recommendations. These documents cover Medicare Advantage comparisons. Application code, exact weights, and numerical thresholds are not included.
How We Rank Plans
Start with the factors we consider, how your answers affect the comparison, and how we handle missing information.
Read on GitHub →Technical Methodology
Read the formula structure, ranking rules, and assumptions behind the comparison, including where estimates are limited.
Read on GitHub →Examples
See invented examples of doctor matches, benefit allowances, and missing prices. These are illustrations, not real plan quotes.
Read on GitHub →Our commitment: recommend coverage based on your needs, regardless of what we earn.
Our Commitment to You
Your Needs Come First
We explain your options and tradeoffs, including when keeping your current coverage may make sense.
Clear Explanations
We help you understand why a plan is recommended, what information was used, and what to confirm before enrolling.
Methods You Can Read
Our Medicare Advantage methodology explains the factors and assumptions behind comparisons, along with their limitations.
Your Choice, Our Support
Use our tools at your own pace and speak with an advisor when you want help. We continue supporting our members after enrollment.
One more option you should know about
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — free, unbiased Medicare counseling funded by the federal government, with no connection to any insurance company (including us). If you'd rather get help from someone with nothing to sell, visit shiphelp.org or call 1-877-839-2675. We'll still be here if you want to compare plans afterward.
Ready to See What's Best for You?
Explore your options with our free tools or ask a licensed advisor for help understanding the tradeoffs.