How We Verify
Commission information changes fast. Our job is to make the evidence, timing, and uncertainty visible.
The Commission is an independent trade publication and intelligence resource for licensed Medicare agents and brokers. We report carrier compensation changes, non-commissionable plan notices, plan exits, CMS compensation guidance, and related market developments that can affect an agent’s income and workflow.
Our evidence labels
| Label | What it means | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier/CMS Confirmed | Supported by a carrier document, official CMS material, or an on-record statement from the carrier. | Read the source and effective date. Confirm the details under your own appointment and carrier arrangements before acting. |
| Verified | Reported by at least two independent credible sources but not yet directly confirmed by the carrier or CMS. | Useful early intelligence. Treat it as pending direct confirmation. |
| Reported | A credible trade report, field report, or submitted document that has not yet met the standard for Verified or Carrier/CMS Confirmed. | Use it as a signal to investigate, not as a final compensation determination. |
| Not Reported | No reliable information has been located as of the displayed check date. | This is not a statement that a plan is commissionable, non-commissionable, available, or unavailable. |
What we look for
We prioritize evidence that directly addresses the agent-impact question:
- Carrier producer notices, compensation grids, appointment communications, and official carrier statements.
- CMS materials, filings, compensation guidance, and official enrollment or marketing-rule updates.
- Plan-specific identifiers, including plan names and plan benefit package identifiers where available.
- State, county, product, enrollment type, and effective-date detail.
- Clear distinctions between new-enrollment compensation and renewal treatment.
- Information that identifies a practical action an agent can take.
Dates we show
| Date | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Source date | When the underlying document, statement, or report was issued or published. |
| First reported | When The Commission first identified or published the development. |
| Effective date | When the reported carrier, plan, compensation, or market change is expected to take effect. |
| Last verified | When we most recently reviewed the record and its available evidence. |
How we handle submitted intelligence
Agents, agencies, carriers, and marketing organizations may submit documents or tips through Submit Intel. Nothing submitted is published automatically. We review submissions, seek corroboration when appropriate, remove or redact personal and client information where necessary, and label the resulting item according to the evidence available.
Submitting information does not buy favorable coverage, a higher evidence label, or editorial control. We do not accept paid placement in editorial coverage.
Corrections and updates
If we get something wrong, we correct the relevant page, note what changed and when, and update linked tracker or carrier records. If a carrier, CMS, agency, or agent believes a record is inaccurate or incomplete, contact the editor with the supporting source material.
Important limits
The Commission does not recommend Medicare plans to beneficiaries and does not provide legal, tax, contracting, compliance, or payment advice. Compensation can vary by appointment, contract, hierarchy, carrier policy, product, market, plan year, enrollment type, and other factors.
Our reporting is an intelligence resource for licensed professionals. Always confirm carrier eligibility, compensation, plan availability, compliance requirements, and enrollment suitability through the relevant carrier, appointment agreement, producer portal, and applicable rules before acting.
Submit Intel → | View the Commission Tracker → | Get the free verified-changes brief →