Unlock a Rewarding Career as a Medicare Broker
Help seniors navigate healthcare while building a flexible, high-income career
Why Choose a Career as a Medicare Broker?
The Medicare market is booming—with over 65 million Americans enrolled and 10,000+ turning 65 every day, demand for personalized guidance has never been higher. As a Medicare broker, you'll enjoy:
High Earning Potential
Commission-based income with renewal residuals building year over year
Complete Flexibility
Work remotely, set your own hours, achieve work-life balance
Make a Difference
Help seniors navigate critical healthcare decisions with confidence
With low barriers to entry, proven training systems, and growing demand, there's never been a better time to start. Follow this comprehensive guide to launch your Medicare broker career in just 2-4 weeks.
8 Steps to Becoming a Licensed Medicare Broker
Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements
To become a Medicare broker, you must meet these fundamental requirements:
- Age: At least 18 years old
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Residency: Legal U.S. resident with intent to sell in your home state
- Background: Pass background check with no felony convictions related to financial misconduct
- License Status: No prior insurance license revocations
Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Enroll in a state-approved health and/or life insurance pre-licensing course. Requirements vary by state:
Typical Course Requirements:
- Duration: 20-40 hours (varies by state - CA requires 24 hours)
- Format: Online self-paced or live virtual classes
- Topics: Insurance basics, state regulations, ethics, Medicare fundamentals
- Providers: Kaplan Financial Education, ExamFX, 360training.com
- Timeline: Most complete in 1-2 weeks
💡 Pro Tip: Verify your course is state-approved via the NAIC database before enrolling.
Pass the State Licensing Exam
After completing pre-licensing education, schedule and pass your state's health/life insurance exam:
- Testing Centers: Pearson VUE, PSI, Prometric (varies by state)
- Format: Multiple choice, computer-based
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Passing Score: Typically 70% or higher
- Cost: $50-$150 per attempt
🎯 Exam Success Strategies:
- Use practice exams from your course provider
- Study state-specific regulations and terminology
- Schedule exam within 2-3 days of completing coursework (knowledge is fresh)
- Arrive early and well-rested
- Retakes available after waiting period (typically 30 days)
Obtain Your Resident State Health Insurance License
Submit your application to your state's insurance department:
- Application Portal: Most states use NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry)
- Required Documents: Exam results, fingerprints, background check authorization
- Processing Time: 1-4 weeks (varies by state)
- License Duration: Typically 2 years before renewal
📝 Note: Once licensed, you can apply for non-resident licenses in other states to expand your market.
Complete AHIP Medicare Certification
AHIP (America's Health Insurance Plans) certification is mandatory for selling Medicare products:
⚠️ Critical Requirements:
- Annual Requirement: Must complete every year before AEP (renew by Oct 1)
- Training Duration: 4-6 hours of modules covering Medicare rules, compliance, ethics
- Final Exam: Must score 90% or higher
- Cost: $175 (includes multiple exam attempts)
- Valid Period: One year from completion
🔗 Register at: ahip.org
Get Appointed with Medicare Carriers (We Help!)
Secure contracts with insurance carriers to access plans and earn commissions. This is where an FMO (Field Marketing Organization) like us becomes invaluable:
🤝 Partner With The Baldwin Group FMO - We Handle:
- Fast Appointments: We fast-track contracts with 20+ top carriers (UHC, Humana, Aetna, Kaiser, Regence, etc.)
- No Cost to You: Appointments are 100% free through our FMO partnership
- Competitive Commissions: Full CMS commission rates with The Baldwin Group's support
- Ongoing Support: Dedicated back-office team for contracting, compliance, and tech platform questions
- Agency Growth: We're building our official agency post-AEP 2025 (launching January 2026) - join us from the ground floor!
Without an FMO, securing carrier appointments independently can take weeks or months. Our agents get appointed in days.
Optional: Complete CMS Marketplace Training (ACA Plans)
Want to expand beyond Medicare? Add ACA Marketplace certification for year-round sales opportunities:
- Platform: Register at CMS.gov
- Training: Free annual certification (identity verification required)
- Benefits: Sell during Open Enrollment (Nov 1 - Jan 15) and Special Enrollment Periods
- Income Boost: Diversify revenue streams with Under-65 market
🚀 Join Our Team for Ongoing Success
Don't go it alone! Partner with our proven team for:
- Mentorship: Learn from 6-figure producers
- Advanced Training: Weekly webinars on sales strategies, compliance, carrier updates
- Lead Programs: Access to pre-qualified, exclusive leads
- Marketing Tools: Professional websites, email campaigns, social media templates
- Tech Stack: CRM access, quoting tools, enrollment platforms
- Community: Private Slack/WhatsApp groups with top agents
💰 Startup Costs Breakdown (2025)
Becoming a Medicare broker is surprisingly affordable—most agents launch for under $1,000. Here's the complete breakdown:
| Requirement | Estimated Cost | Money-Saving Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Licensing Course | $100 - $300 | Compare providers online for best price |
| State Exam Fee | $50 - $150 | Pass first try with practice tests |
| Background Check & Fingerprints | $30 - $50 | Usually bundled with license app |
| State License Application | $50 - $100 | Apply via NIPR for efficiency |
| AHIP Certification (Annual) | $175 | No shortcuts - required every year |
| E&O Insurance (Annual) | $200 - $500 | Get group rates through FMO |
| Total Estimated Startup | $605 - $1,275 | Many FMOs reimburse fees! |
💡 Smart Financing: Our FMO offers fee reimbursement programs for committed agents—you could recoup 100% of startup costs after your first few sales!
🌟 Why Join Our Team vs. Going Solo
Comprehensive Training
Paid onboarding, weekly webinars, carrier product training, sales scripts, objection handling—everything you need to close confidently.
Competitive Commissions
2026 CMS rates: $694 initial + $347 renewals per MA enrollment (national). Higher rates in WA, CA, NJ, CT, PA. Full transparency on comp.
FMO Support - The Baldwin Group
Partner with one of the nation's top FMOs. Fast carrier appointments, competitive contracts, ongoing training, and back-office support.
Total Flexibility
Work from anywhere, set your schedule. Part-time to start, scale to full-time as income grows. No office politics.
Growing Team & Mentorship
Join us as we build our agency (launching post-AEP 2025). Get mentorship, proven sales strategies, and hands-on guidance as you grow your book.
Proven Income Track Record
First-year agents: $35K-$70K+ (50-100 enrollments). By year 3 with renewals: $85K-$175K+. Top producers exceed $200K+ annually.
💵 Real Income Potential: Starting With 50-100 Clients Your First Year
Medicare broker income is commission-based, giving you unlimited earning potential. Most new agents enroll 50-100 clients their first year during AEP. Here's what realistic income looks like with 2026 CMS commission rates:
Year 1 (New Agent)
$35K - $70K
- • 50-100 MA enrollments
- • Focus on AEP sales
- • Building client base
- • @ $694 per enrollment
Year 3 (Established)
$85K - $175K
- • 75-150 new enrollments
- • 100-200 renewal residuals
- • Referral business growing
- • Renewals @ $347 each
Year 5+ (Top Producer)
$175K - $250K+
- • 100-150 new enrollments
- • 300+ renewal book
- • Strong referral network
- • Passive renewal income
2026 Commission Math Example:
- Year 1: Enroll 75 Medicare Advantage clients at $694 commission = $52,050 gross income
- Year 2: Those 75 clients renew at $347 each = $26,025 passive + your new enrollments = $75K+ total
- Year 3: 150 renewals ($52,050) + 75 new enrollments ($52,050) = $104,100 total
- 💡 Income compounds as your book of business grows! Top producers with 300+ renewals earn $100K+ in passive income alone.
📊 2026 CMS Commission Rates (National): MA Initial: $694 | MA Renewal: $347 | Part D Initial: $114 | Part D Renewal: $57
Higher rates available in: California & New Jersey ($864/$432), Connecticut, Pennsylvania & DC ($781/$391)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a Medicare broker?
Typically 2-4 weeks if you work diligently. Breakdown:
- Pre-licensing course: 1-2 weeks (self-paced)
- State exam: Schedule within days of course completion
- License application: 1-2 weeks processing
- AHIP certification: 1 day (4-6 hours)
- Carrier appointments: 3-7 days with FMO support
With our fast-track program, many agents start selling in under 3 weeks.
Do I need prior sales or insurance experience?
Absolutely not! Our top agents come from diverse backgrounds:
- Teachers transitioning to flexible careers
- Retirees seeking meaningful part-time work
- Customer service professionals
- Healthcare workers (nurses, caregivers)
- Complete career changers
What matters: strong communication skills, empathy for seniors, and willingness to learn. We provide all sales training.
Is this full-time or part-time?
Completely flexible! Common paths:
- Part-time: Start with 10-15 hours/week, focus on AEP (Oct-Dec) for quick wins
- Full-time: Work 30-40+ hours, sell year-round with SEPs and ACA plans
- Seasonal: Many agents go heavy Oct-Mar (Medicare + ACA), lighter Apr-Sep
Most agents start part-time and scale up as commission income grows.
What if I fail the state exam?
No problem—retakes are allowed! Most states require a 30-day waiting period and charge the exam fee again ($50-$150).
Our success tips:
- Use practice exams until you score 85%+ consistently
- Focus on state-specific regulations (high-weight topics)
- Take exam within 2-3 days of finishing course (material is fresh)
- Our agents have a 95%+ first-time pass rate with our study guides
AHIP allows 3 attempts included in the $175 fee, so plenty of chances to succeed.
Do I need to invest in leads or marketing?
Not necessarily! Here's the reality about building your client base:
- Organic Strategies Work: Many successful agents build entirely through referrals, local networking (senior centers, churches, community events), and social media
- Start Where You Are: Friends, family, former colleagues—your warm market is powerful during AEP
- Paid Leads (Optional): Once profitable, you can invest in lead programs. Typical cost: $15-$40 per lead with 5:1 to 10:1 ROI for skilled agents
- Training & Mentorship: We teach proven prospecting methods, objection handling, and how to generate referrals from every client
- Marketing Support: We provide guidance on compliant social media posts, email templates, and local marketing strategies
Bottom line: You don't need to buy leads to succeed. With effort and the right strategies, organic growth can deliver 50-100 enrollments your first AEP.
Can I sell Medicare plans in multiple states?
Yes! After obtaining your resident license, you can apply for non-resident licenses in other states via NIPR.
- Cost: $50-$100 per state (no additional exams required)
- Benefits: Serve clients who snowbird, expand market reach
- Popular Multi-State Markets: CA/AZ, FL/NY, WA/OR, TX/NM
Our agents licensed in 2-3 states typically earn 30% more due to expanded opportunities.
💬 Success Story: From Teacher to Medicare Broker
Sarah T. - Former High School Teacher
Licensed October 2024 • First Year Earnings: $64,000
"I was burned out after 15 years teaching and needed flexibility to care for my aging parents. I had zero sales experience, but the training this team provided was incredible. I started part-time in October 2024 during AEP and enrolled 62 Medicare Advantage clients my first season. By the end of Year 1, I had written 92 policies and earned $64,000—matching my teaching salary while working half the hours. The leads, mentorship, and community support made all the difference. Now in Year 2, I'm on track for $90K+ with renewals kicking in. I wish I'd done this years ago!"
Sarah's Advice for New Agents: "Don't overthink it. The startup costs are minimal, the market is huge, and if you genuinely care about helping people, you'll succeed. Start with realistic goals (50-75 enrollments) and let your book of business compound naturally."
🚀 Ready to Start Your Medicare Broker Career?
Join our growing team! We're building our official agency post-AEP 2025 (launching January 2026). Get in on the ground floor with personalized mentorship and proven strategies.
⏰ Get Licensed Now for AEP 2025! Start earning this season, join our official agency in January 2026. Partnered with The Baldwin Group FMO.
📚 Helpful Resources
⚖️ Important Disclaimers
Income Disclaimer: Earnings as a Medicare broker are commission-based and vary widely based on effort, market conditions, and individual performance. Income examples cited represent exceptional cases and are not guaranteed. Your results may differ significantly.
Licensing: Requirements vary by state. This guide provides general information—verify specific requirements with your state insurance department. Completion of training does not guarantee licensure or employment.
Medicare Compliance: American Senior Choices is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. For all options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.