SilverEdge is genuinely free to you. Insurance carriers pay licensed brokerages a commission when you enroll in a plan they offer. The commission is built into the plan's structure — your premium is exactly the same whether you go direct to the carrier, through an online comparison site like HealthSherpa, or through a broker like SilverEdge.
There is no "going direct" discount for ACA or Medicare plans. The price you see on the carrier's website is the same price you pay through us. The difference is whether you have a licensed advisor in your corner.
How commissions work:
Medicare Advantage and Part D:
- CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) sets a maximum commission carriers can pay brokers for selling Medicare plans
- 2026 maximums: roughly $626 for an initial Medicare Advantage enrollment, $313 for a renewal year, and around $109 for a Part D drug plan
- Commission is paid AFTER you enroll, by the carrier, to the brokerage
- Carriers must pay all licensed brokerages the same rate for the same plan — they can't favor one broker over another with higher commissions
Medicare Supplement (Medigap):
- Commissions vary by carrier and state — typically 15–25% of first-year premium, 3–5% of renewal premiums
- Carriers compete on Medigap pricing, but the commission structure is regulated by state insurance departments
ACA Marketplace plans:
- Commissions vary by carrier and state — typically $15–$30 per member per month (PMPM) for the first year, lower for renewals
- Some carriers pay flat commissions (e.g., $300 per enrolled member); some pay PMPM
- ACA commissions are not regulated by CMS the same way Medicare commissions are
Why this means we have NO incentive to push you toward one plan:
- Same commission across plans within a market. If 5 Medicare Advantage carriers all sell HMOs in your county, they all pay roughly the same commission. Our advisors don't earn more by recommending Carrier A over Carrier B.
- Our advisors are paid the same regardless. Within SilverEdge, our compensation system pays the advisor identically whether you enroll in a $0 HMO or a $200 PPO or a Medigap plan or no plan at all. They're judged on member satisfaction and retention, not which plan you choose.
- Persistent renewals matter to us. A plan that's a poor fit for you is likely to be cancelled in year 2, costing us our renewal commission. So our financial interest is aligned with finding plans that actually fit — not just closing today's enrollment.
What WE earn that drives our recommendations:
- Member satisfaction (4.9/5 average rating drives word-of-mouth and Trustpilot reviews — our biggest free traffic source)
- Renewal retention (we earn renewal commissions in year 2+ if you stay enrolled)
- Referrals (members who refer family, friends, neighbors)
What carriers can't do:
- Carriers cannot offer brokers "override commissions" or other incentives that vary by plan — this is illegal under CMS rules for Medicare and similarly restricted under ACA Marketplace rules
- Carriers cannot give brokers gifts above nominal value (~$25/year per agent)
- Carriers cannot pay brokers for unenrolled leads — only for completed enrollments
Fee-only health insurance advisors (rare):
A tiny segment of the industry charges hourly fees ($150–$500/hour) for plan analysis, taking no commissions. They're rare because consumers won't pay for advice on coverage that's "free" through a broker. We don't operate this way.
Why use a broker vs. enrolling direct?
- Comparison. Direct enrollment with one carrier shows you only that carrier's plans. We compare every carrier in your ZIP.
- Doctor and drug verification. We check your specific doctors and prescriptions against each plan's network and formulary BEFORE you enroll.
- Year-round support. Direct enrollment leaves you with the carrier's 1-800 line. We're your advocate for claims questions, formulary changes, plan exits, and annual reviews — at no cost.
- AEP/SEP review. Every year, we re-check whether your plan is still your best option. Direct carriers don't do this; they want you to stay on their plan.
What to do next: Call (866) 534-1886. We'll walk through your situation, compare every plan available to you, and explain the trade-offs honestly — including telling you if a plan we don't sell would be better. Free.