Brokers

Insurance brokers play a critical role in ensuring that Marylanders have access to affordable health care insurance options. Brokers are key partners to help individuals and small businesses get access to plans offered on Maryland Health Connection. Whether you are already a part of our Authorized Broker program or would like to join, this is your one-stop source of the information and tools you need.

• Authorized Broker Overview

  Overview

  The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange understands the importance of insurance brokers to the general public. As trained and licensed professionals, insurance brokers are the only consumer assistance workers who are qualified to advise their clients on enrolling in a plan that is best suited to their needs. The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange values the partnership of the broker community and looks forward to improving that partnership every day.

  Broker Types

  The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange operates two markets: one for individuals and families and the other for small businesses (Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP). Brokers may choose to operate in the individual market, in the SHOP market, or in both.

  Captive brokers are those who work for a single carrier in the individual market. These brokers are bound by additional regulations compared with other brokers. For more information about Captive brokers, see the Authorized Broker Manual.

  Compensation

  Brokers receive compensation from insurance carriers for sales of insurance plans offered on Maryland Health Connection. As brokers assist individuals and small businesses with enrollment in Maryland Health Connection insurance plans, the system transmits broker data to carriers to allow them to calculate and distribute compensation as they do on the outside market today.

• Become an Authorized Broker

  A Licensed Health Broker may apply as long as the following criteria is met:

  • Holds a current license issued by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner that qualifies the Broker to sell health benefits in Maryland
  • Maintains a sufficient level of Errors and Omissions (E&O) coverage, to be determined by the exchange, and provides current proof of coverage to MHBE
  • Is not excluded from participation in federal health programs
  • Is not barred from state contracts
  • Agrees to present all plans from all participating carriers and disclose appointment status to consumers; this does not apply to captive brokers.
  • Agrees to adhere to privacy and security standards established by the MHBE
  • Agrees to work cooperatively with Connector Entities/Navigators, as applicable
  • Agrees to immediately report concerns or complaints from employers, employees or individual consumers to the appropriate agency in a timely manner
  • Agrees to complete retraining education i.e., at least eight hours of MHBE-approved continuing education per renewal term.

  Both resident and non-resident brokers are eligible to apply.

• Broker Training & Requirements

  A broker must complete the Broker Authorization training in order to become an Authorized Broker. Only training offered by MHBE will be accepted for authorization.  Training for the Federal Exchange or other State Exchanges cannot be substituted in lieu of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Broker Authorization training.

• Broker Tools & Resources

  The Toolbox for Brokers has links to tools, documents, guides, and other resources for Authorized Brokers. If what you’re looking for isn’t there, let us know.