How to check a Medicare agent's license in Florida
Every agent who sells Medicare plans must be licensed by the state. In Florida, the Florida Department of Financial Services 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 Florida Department of Financial Services Licensee Search.
- Search by the agent's name, Florida license number or national producer number (NPN).
Official lookup: Florida Department of Financial Services: Licensee Search
What to check
- The name matches the person you spoke with.
- The license is current and issued by Florida.
- The status says Valid. Florida's search lets you filter for valid or invalid licenses.
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 Florida? 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 Florida
SHINE is run by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. A SHINE volunteer can go over your Medicare choices with you.
- Program: SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders)
- Phone: 1-800-963-5337
- Website: floridashine.org
How Medicare agents are paid in Florida (2027)
For 2027, a Medicare Advantage plan can pay an agent in Florida up to $725 for a new member in the first year and up to $363 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 Florida
Florida law adds its own rules 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.
- At 65 or older, Florida law requires insurers to give you an open enrollment period. During it, they can't price your policy based on your health or medical history.
- Under 65: every insurer that sells Medigap in Florida must offer its policies to people under 65 who have Medicare. Once you have Part A and Part B, at any age, you get 6 months to buy a policy you can't be turned down for.
- To compare Medigap premiums, Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation runs a sample rate search.
Medicare Advantage plans in Florida for 2027
Medicare lists 308 Medicare Advantage plans in Florida 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 308. Each county has fewer. Across Florida's counties, the count runs from 7 to 52. Medicare's Plan Finder shows the plans for your ZIP code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Medicare agents in Florida 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 $725 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 Florida?
Use the Florida Department of Financial Services Licensee Search. Search by the agent's name, Florida license number or national producer number (NPN). Make sure the license is active.
Where can I get free Medicare help in Florida?
Call SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) at 1-800-963-5337. It is Florida'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.