2026 Maximum Broker Commissions for Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D

What are agent commissions for Medicare Advantage plans in 2026? What about Part D plan commissions? We’ve got your answers.

2026 is bringing exciting news for insurance agents — we’re seeing the biggest Medicare commissions for agents in years!

Medicare Part D Commissions

How are agents compensated under CMS rules for Medicare Part D? For 2026 Part D commissions…

• Initial commissions will increase from $109/member/year to $114/member/year, a 4.6% increase YOY.

• Renewal commissions will increase from $55/member/year to $57/member/year, a 3.6% increase YOY.

Medicare Advantage Commissions

The 2026 Medicare Advantage commissions are broken out by state/region:

• For CT, PA and DC, initial Medicare Advantage commissions will increase from $705/member/year to $781/member/year, a 10.8% change YOY. Renewal commissions will increase from $353/member/year to $391/member/year, a 10.8% change YOY.

• For CA and NJ, 2026 initial Medicare Advantage commissions will increase from $780/member/year to $864/member/year, a 10.8% change YOY. 2026 renewal Medicare Advantage commissions will increase from $390/member/year to $432/member/year, a 10.8% change YOY.

• For Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, initial MA commissions will increase from $428/member/year to $474/member/year, a 10.7% change YOY. Renewal commissions will increase from $214/member/year to $237/member/year, a 10.7% change YOY.

• In all other states, initial MA commissions will increase from $626/member/year to $694/member/year, a 10.9% change YOY. Renewal commissions will increase from $313/member/year to $347/member/year, a 10.9% change YOY.

Data in this chart is from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

(By comparison, 2025 Medicare Advantage commission increases ranged from 2.29% to 2.45%.)

What Changed with Medicare Broker Commissions for 2026?

This is the largest MA increase in broker commissions in years, which is excellent news for agents selling these plans and earning renewals! With these increased rates comes responsibility. Agents are expected to possess a high level of knowledge, which is achieved through the required annual Medicare training such as AHIP or NABIP.

Compensation Rate Submission for 2026

It’s important to note, CMS expects organizations to keep full records documenting that they are updating compensation schedules and paying agents and brokers according to CMS requirements.

Compensation rate submission for 2026 requires organizations to report to CMS if they intend to use employed, captive, or independent agents or brokers in the upcoming plan year along with the specific rates the plan will pay independent agents and brokers.

In addition, if an organization pays referral fees, they must disclose the amount. For 2026, referral fees remain the same at $100 for MA plans and $25 for PDP plans.

ABC vs. HHS Broker Commissions Lawsuit

Back in 2024, Americans for Beneficiary Choice (ABC) and Council for Medicare Choice (CMC) each sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding 2025 Medicare Final Rule commissions changes. On July 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a stay to the changes pending the resolution of the litigation. On this front, there are no updates yet.

The regulatory language that was effective prior to the distribution of the 2025 Final Rule will be in effect for commission year 2026 as long as the stay is still in effect. We’ll keep you posted on anything new to come!

The announcement of these 2026 initial and renewal commission amounts is certainly exciting. However, we encourage you to continue looking past the dollar sign and stay focused on what truly matters — the satisfaction and wellbeing of your clients!

Have additional questions? We’re here to help. Please contact your Ritter Sales team for assistance.

All rates and requirements listed in this post are from the June 18, 2025, memo from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.