Agents & how we are paid
Aetna Will Pay No Broker Commissions on 123 Medicare Advantage Plans Across 33 States During 2027 Open Enrollment
The CVS Health subsidiary notified third-party marketing organizations of the freeze, covering plans in nearly 780 counties, just weeks before the October annual enrollment period.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamAugust 21, 2026
Aetna, the insurance subsidiary of CVS Health, informed third-party marketing organizations that it will pay zero agent or broker commissions for new enrollments in 123 of its Medicare Advantage plans across 33 states for the 2027 plan year. The affected plans span nearly 780 counties. Aetna also said it will not compensate agents or brokers for new enrollments in standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
Federal rules allow carriers to set commissions anywhere from zero up to the annual maximum that CMS establishes for each state. When a carrier sets commissions to zero on specific plans, agents who use commission income to prioritize which plans they recommend may have less financial incentive to steer clients toward those products.
Current regulations do not require brokers or agents to tell enrollees which plans on their menu carry a commission and which do not. A Medicare beneficiary who calls an agent for help this fall could be placed in a plan that pays the agent nothing, without being told.
The freeze follows a broader industry pattern in which carriers have trimmed or eliminated broker incentives on plans where margins are under pressure as medical costs have run above payment rates.
Enrollees who want guidance that is free of sales incentives can contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, a federally funded free counseling service, where counselors do not earn commissions. Plans can also be compared at medicare.gov. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs October 15 through December 7.
In plain words
Aetna told insurance agents that it will not pay them for signing people up for 123 of its Medicare Advantage plans in 33 states next year. This covers plans in nearly 780 counties across the country.
Federal rules let companies set agent pay anywhere from zero up to a limit set by the government each year. When a company pays zero on a plan, agents may be less likely to recommend it.
The rules do not require agents to tell you which plans pay them and which do not. So you might not know if an agent is skipping a plan because it does not pay.
If you want free, unbiased help, call your state SHIP program. SHIP counselors do not earn sales commissions. You can also compare all plans yourself at medicare.gov.
Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026.
Understand the basics first
Source: Modern Healthcare
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