Medicare Advantage brokers receive $10 billion in annual commissions

Medicare Advantage brokers receive roughly $10 billion in commissions each year. The payments have prompted questions about how many people the brokers assist.

Brokers are paid when they enroll beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans. The commissions come from the insurance companies that sponsor the plans. The $10 billion figure covers payments across the broker industry. No breakdown by individual broker or company was provided.

Observers have asked how many Medicare beneficiaries receive meaningful help from the brokers. The original reporting did not include data on enrollment outcomes or consumer satisfaction. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers as an alternative to traditional Medicare. Enrollment in these plans has grown in recent years.