The short answer: no, a broker does not cost you more

This is one of the most common worries we hear from folks in Charlotte and across North Carolina who are approaching 65: "If I work with a broker, am I paying a markup?" The honest, plain-English answer is no. Working with a licensed Medicare broker or independent agent costs you nothing extra. The premium you pay for a Medicare Advantage plan, a Part D prescription drug plan, or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy is the same price whether you enroll on your own or through an agent. There is no "agent fee" added to your bill, and there is no secret markup on your premium.

The insurance company pays the agent a commission. CMS regulates compensation for Medicare Advantage and Part D agents and brokers and publishes annual compensation information. That does not mean every carrier pays the same commission. At The Jordan Insurance Agency, our plan-comparison and enrollment help costs you nothing extra; we focus on your doctors, prescriptions, coverage needs and budget.

Why the price is the same either way

It helps to understand how the money actually flows. When you enroll in a Medicare plan, the private insurance company that offers it collects your premium (if the plan has one). If you enrolled through a licensed agent, the carrier pays that agent a commission out of its own budget. That commission is a cost the insurer already builds in — it does not get tacked onto your premium.

So the choice really comes down to this: you can spend hours comparing plans on your own, or you can have an experienced professional do that comparison for you — and the price you pay is identical. Given that the guidance is free to you, the real question isn't "does a broker cost more?" It's "which agent gives me the best guidance?"

What "free" does — and does not — mean

"Free to you" means no out-of-pocket cost for the agent's help. It does not mean the plans themselves are free. You are still responsible for your own Medicare costs. See our full breakdown of how much Medicare costs per month. Medicare itself is not free either, as we explain in our guide to whether Medicare is free. For example, in 2026 the standard Part B monthly premium is $202.90, the annual Part B deductible is $283, and Part A carries a $1,736 inpatient hospital deductible per benefit period. Those are federal Medicare figures that apply whether or not you use an agent. We explain the Medicare Part B premium in its own guide. A good agent's job is to help you choose the coverage that fits your budget, doctors, and prescriptions — not to change what Medicare itself charges.

Independent agent vs. captive agent: an important difference

Not every agent is the same, and this is where the "cost" question quietly matters. Some agents are "captive," meaning they represent only one insurance company and can only show you that company's plans. An independent agent represents multiple carriers, so they can compare plans across many companies and help you find the one that actually matches your situation — rather than fitting you into the only plan they're allowed to sell.

The Jordan Insurance Agency represents multiple carriers, which lets us compare the available plans against your needs. Compensation can vary, so our explanation focuses on the reasons a plan fits your doctors, prescriptions and budget. You can ask us about the options we represent and how we are paid.

What you should look for in a Medicare agent

Since using our help does not add a markup to the plan premium, you can focus on the guidance you receive and how the coverage fits. Our companion guide on how to choose a good Medicare agent explains what to look for. Check licensing, Medicare training, the carriers represented and the support available after enrollment. A useful comparison includes:

  • An active state insurance license — the baseline requirement to legally advise you.
  • Annual Medicare training and testing — agents selling Medicare Advantage and Part D must meet applicable annual training and testing requirements, along with each carrier's requirements. AHIP is a commonly used training program.
  • Per-carrier certifications — separate certifications for each insurance company the agent represents, completed every year.
  • Errors & omissions (E&O) coverage — professional liability insurance that protects you if a mistake is ever made.
  • Appointments with multiple carriers — so they can genuinely compare, not just sell one brand.
  • An annual renewal review — because plans, drug formularies, and provider networks change every single year.

An annual review helps you keep coverage aligned with your needs as plans change costs, drug coverage and provider networks. During the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 in 2026), The Jordan Insurance Agency can review those changes with you at no additional cost. Learn more about the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period.

When timing matters more than cost

One area where good guidance pays off is timing. Your Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Open Enrollment Period is a one-time, 6-month window that starts the first month you are both 65 and enrolled in Part B. During that window you have guaranteed issue rights: an insurer cannot turn you down, cannot use medical underwriting, and cannot charge you more because of pre-existing conditions. After it closes, insurers generally can use underwriting. An experienced agent makes sure you understand that window before it passes — and again, reviewing it with you costs you nothing. If you're new to these policies, start with what a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan is.

How The Jordan Insurance Agency helps

The Jordan Insurance Agency is an independent, full-time, licensed insurance agency based in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving clients throughout the state. We represent multiple carriers and compare the available plans against your doctors, prescriptions and budget. Our help costs you nothing extra: the carrier pays our compensation, and using our team does not add a markup to your plan premium.

Next step: Turning 65, or helping a parent sort out Medicare in Charlotte? The Jordan Insurance Agency is an independent, full-time agency that compares Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D options across multiple carriers — at no cost to you. Get honest, plain-English guidance. For coverage details, explore our Medicare guidance and plan support.