How to check a Medicare agent's license in California
Every agent who sells Medicare plans must be licensed by the state. In California, the California Department of Insurance keeps the list. Plans must also tell the state which agents sell their plans.
- Ask the agent for their full name and license number.
- Open the California Department of Insurance License Status lookup.
- Search by the agent's name or license number.
Official lookup: California Department of Insurance: License Status lookup
What to check
- The name matches the person you spoke with.
- The license is current and issued by California.
- Any enforcement actions. California's lookup lists them with the license.
Questions to ask a Medicare agent
- How many insurance companies and plans do you represent in my area? They must tell you this before they discuss plan details.
- Are you licensed in California? What is your license number?
- Will you talk only about the products I agreed to hear about?
- Can I take time to decide? You should sign an enrollment form only when you are ready to join.
- Is there any fee? There should not be. Agents can't charge an enrollment fee.
Free Medicare help in California
HICAP gives free, confidential one-on-one help with Medicare. You can also find a HICAP office by county on its website.
- Program: HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program)
- Phone: 1-800-434-0222
- Website: aging.ca.gov
How Medicare agents are paid in California (2027)
California has its own, higher limit. For 2027, a Medicare Advantage plan can pay an agent up to $902 for a new member in the first year and up to $451 for each year after that. A Part D drug plan can pay up to $130 the first year and $65 each year after.
Using an agent does not change your premium for a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Federal rules say everyone in the same plan in the same area pays the same plan premium. An agent also can't charge you an enrollment fee.
Medigap is different. The insurance company pays the agent a share of the premium. CMS's dollar limits cover Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, not Medigap.
Medigap rules in California
California adds two rules of its own to the federal ones.
- Federal rule: your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. During those 6 months, an insurer can't turn you down or charge you more because of your health.
- Federal rule: if you wait to sign up for Part B because you or your spouse still has health coverage from a current job, the 6-month window starts when you sign up for Part B.
- Birthday rule: each year, for 60 days starting on your birthday, you can move to a Medigap plan with the same or fewer benefits. Your insurer must tell you about this right 30 to 60 days before your birthday.
- In California, you can also buy a Medigap policy with no health questions when your COBRA or Cal-COBRA coverage ends.
- Under 65: Medicare's March 2026 Medigap guide lists California among the states that require insurers to offer at least one kind of Medigap policy to people with Medicare under 65. Ask HICAP which policies that means for you.
- To compare Medigap premiums, the California Department of Insurance publishes a Medicare Supplement rates survey.
Medicare Advantage plans in California for 2027
Medicare lists 259 Medicare Advantage plans in California for 2027 that anyone with Part A and Part B can join. The count leaves out special needs plans. It is from Medicare's plan data as of November 2026.
No one can choose from all 259. Each county has fewer. In the 55 counties that have them, the count runs from 2 to 70. Medicare's Plan Finder shows the plans for your ZIP code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Medicare agents in California charge a fee?
Not to sign you up. Medicare's rules say an agent or broker can't charge you an enrollment fee. The plan pays the agent. For 2027, CMS caps that pay at $902 in the first year for a Medicare Advantage plan.
What is the difference between a Medicare agent and a Medicare broker?
Medicare's rules treat agents and brokers the same way. Both must be licensed by your state and follow the same marketing rules. What matters more is how many insurance companies a person represents. They must tell you that before they talk about plan details.
Does using an agent change my premium?
Not for Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. Federal rules say everyone in the same plan in the same area pays the same plan premium. A Part D late enrollment penalty or Extra Help can change what one person pays. This rule does not cover Medigap.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in California?
Use the California Department of Insurance License Status lookup. Search by the agent's name or license number. Make sure the license is active.
Where can I get free Medicare help in California?
Call HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) at 1-800-434-0222. It is California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Counselors help you choose a plan, review coverage and understand costs at no charge.
Can I sign up for Medicare without an agent?
Yes. You sign up for Part A and Part B through Social Security, online at ssa.gov or by phone. You can review and join Medicare Advantage and drug plans on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.