Checklist
What to bring to your first meeting with a Medicare agent
A good agent can only compare plans as well as the information you bring. Ten minutes gathering these things turns a general sales talk into a real side-by-side comparison for your doctors and your prescriptions.
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about any plan.
The checklist
Your red, white and blue Medicare card
It shows whether you have Part A, Part B or both, and when each started. You don't have to hand it over to get a comparison.A list of every doctor you see
Names, the practice or hospital they work with, and the city. Include specialists, not just your primary care doctor.Every prescription, with the dose
The easiest way: bring the bottles, or a printout from your pharmacy. Dose and how often you take it both change the price.Your pharmacy
The one you use now, and whether you'd use mail order. Some plans charge less at certain pharmacies.Your current coverage
Your plan card and its Annual Notice of Change if you have a plan, or details of any employer, union, retiree, VA or TRICARE coverage.What matters most to you
Keeping a certain doctor, low monthly cost, low cost when you're sick, travel, dental or vision. Write your top three down.
If you have limited income, ask about Extra Help with drug costs and your state's Medicare Savings Programs. An agent or your state's free SHIP counselor can tell you whether you might qualify.
Questions to bring too
- How many insurance companies do you represent in my area?
- Are my doctors in network for each plan you're showing me? How did you check?
- What would my drugs cost each month, including after any deductible?
- What's the most I could pay in a year if I get very sick?
- Will you help me during the year if a claim is denied or I need a new prescription?
More questions, and the answers to expect, are in our guide to choosing a local agent.
What not to hand over
- Your Social Security number or Medicare number to anyone who called you first, or before you've checked their license.
- Bank account or credit card details to an agent. Premiums go to the insurance company (some plans can take them from Social Security), never to the agent.
- Your signature on a blank or partly filled form.
- Original documents. Copies or photos are enough.
Not sure the agent is real? Check their license before the meeting. It takes about two minutes.
After the meeting
Ask for the comparison in writing, and take a day to look it over if you want to. A good agent won't rush you. You can also check what you were told with Medicare's Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, or with your state's free SHIP counselor.
Common questions
Do I have to give the agent my Medicare number?
Not to get a comparison. An agent can compare plans with your ZIP code, doctors and prescriptions. You'll need your Medicare number only when you decide to enroll, and only with an agent you chose and checked.
Can my son or daughter come to the meeting?
Yes. Many people bring a family member or friend. It helps to have a second set of ears, and you can say so when you book.
Should I bring my current plan's paperwork?
Yes, if you have a plan now. Your plan's Annual Notice of Change, sent by September 30, lists what's changing next year and is especially useful.
How long does a first meeting take?
Often about an hour, longer if you're comparing many prescriptions. It's fine to take the comparison home and decide later.
Keep reading
- Medicare agent vs. broker: what's the difference?Agent, broker, producer: what the words mean, the one difference that really matters (how many companies they work with), and how to tell before you meet.
- How to choose a local Medicare agentQuestions to ask, warning signs, and the dates to know.
- How to check an insurance agent's licenseLook up any agent with your state's insurance department, in about two minutes.
Ready to talk to someone local?
Search by ZIP code. Verified agents are listed first, and every listing is free to contact.