Do I Need a Health Insurance Broker?
No, you don't need a health insurance broker to buy coverage in Minnesota. You can enroll directly through MNsure, use a free navigator, or compare plans yourself with AI-powered tools like Navitize. Brokers are valuable if you need small business group coverage, help with appeals/disputes, or simply prefer face-to-face human guidance. For everything else—including complex family health situations, chronic conditions, Medicare, and multiple medications—Navitize's AI can analyze your profile and provide personalized recommendations with match scores. The best part? Both options are free. Take our quiz below to find out which path is right for you.
Quick Quiz: Broker or Navitize?
Answer 5 questions to get a personalized recommendation
Are Health Insurance Brokers Free?
Yes, Most Brokers Are Free!
Health insurance brokers in Minnesota typically don't charge consumers anything. They earn commissions from insurance companies—usually 2-5% of your monthly premium. This commission is built into all plan prices, so you pay the same premium whether you use a broker or enroll directly.
Note: MNsure requires brokers to disclose any fees upfront. If a broker wants to charge you (rare), they must tell you before providing services.
How Do Health Insurance Brokers Get Paid?
You Choose a Plan
Broker helps you compare options
You Enroll
Sign up through MNsure or carrier
Carrier Pays Broker
2-5% monthly commission
You Pay Same Price
No extra cost to you
Important: Commission is included in ALL plan prices. You pay the same premium whether you use a broker, navigator, MNsure directly, or Navitize.
When Should I Use a Broker vs Navitize?
Use a Broker If...
- Small business group plan setup
- Appeals, disputes, or claims assistance
- Language barriers or accessibility needs
- Strongly prefer face-to-face or phone guidance
- Want an ongoing personal relationship year after year
- Need someone to handle all paperwork for you
Use Navitize If...
- Complex family health situations (AI analyzes all factors)
- Multiple chronic conditions or medications
- Want AI match scores with detailed reasoning (9.2/10)
- Need 24/7 access - research anytime
- Want to see 3 cost scenarios (healthy, moderate, surgery)
- Prefer unbiased recommendations (no commissions)
- 50+ Minnesota plans including Medicare
- Want professional PDF reports to share
What Can Navitize Actually Do?
AI-Powered, Not "Basic"
Navitize isn't a simple comparison tool—it's an AI that analyzes your complete health profile to find the best matches.
- Complex families: Analyzes multiple members, conditions, medications
- Match scores: Each plan rated (like 9.2/10) with detailed reasoning
- 3 cost scenarios: Healthy Year, Moderate Use, Surgery/Major Event
- 50+ plans: All Minnesota plans including Medicare
- Smart cards: "Best for Families," "Best for Chronic Conditions"
Example Recommendation
Match Score: 9.2/10 — Blue Cross Gold Plus
"This plan is an excellent match for your situation:"
- • For your couple household: $5,000 family deductible
- • For your 3 medications: All covered at Tier 1 pricing
- • For predictable costs: $6,500 out-of-pocket max
Estimated Annual Cost: $9,840
Benefits of Using a Health Insurance Broker
Pros
- Face-to-face personalized guidance
- Help with appeals and claim disputes
- Small business group plan expertise
- Ongoing personal relationship
- Usually free to consumers
Cons
- Limited to business hours availability
- May need to schedule appointments
- Possible commission influence on recommendations
- Quality varies by individual broker
- No detailed cost scenario modeling
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a health insurance broker to buy insurance in Minnesota?
No, you don't need a broker to buy health insurance in Minnesota. You can enroll directly through MNsure.org, use a free navigator, or use self-service tools like Navitize. However, brokers can be helpful if you need small business group plans, prefer face-to-face human guidance, or need help with appeals and disputes.
Are health insurance brokers free?
Yes, most health insurance brokers in Minnesota are free to consumers. Brokers earn commissions from insurance companies (typically 2-5% of your premium), not from you. The premium you pay is the same whether you use a broker or enroll directly. MNsure requires brokers to disclose any fees upfront.
How do health insurance brokers get paid?
Health insurance brokers get paid through commissions from insurance companies. When you enroll in a plan, the insurance company pays the broker a percentage of your monthly premium (usually 2-5% for individual plans, higher for group plans). This commission is built into all plan prices, so you pay the same amount regardless of how you enroll.
Should I use a health insurance broker or enroll myself?
Use a broker if you need small business group coverage, prefer face-to-face guidance, need help with appeals/disputes, or have language/accessibility needs. Use Navitize if you want 24/7 access, AI-powered recommendations with match scores, detailed cost scenarios, and the ability to research at your own pace. Both can handle complex health situations and all Minnesota plan types including Medicare.
What are the benefits of using a health insurance broker?
Benefits include: personalized guidance from a licensed professional, help with paperwork and enrollment, assistance with appeals and claim disputes, expertise in small business group coverage, and an ongoing personal relationship. All typically at no cost to you.
Why would I NOT use a health insurance broker?
You might skip a broker if: you want to compare options at your own pace, you need help outside business hours (24/7), you prefer using AI tools like Navitize for instant comparisons with match scores, you want to see detailed cost scenarios, or you prefer unbiased recommendations without commission influence.
Can I get the same plans without a broker?
Yes, absolutely. All Minnesota health plans are available whether you use a broker, navigator, or enroll directly. The plans, prices, and subsidies are identical. The only difference is the level of personal guidance you receive. Navitize provides AI-powered personalized recommendations, match scores, and cost scenarios similar to what a broker offers.
Can Navitize handle complex health situations?
Yes. Navitize's AI analyzes your complete health profile through an 8-question questionnaire covering family size, health status, doctor visit frequency, medications, budget priorities, and more. It generates personalized match scores (like 9.2/10) with detailed reasoning, and shows "Best for Families" and "Best for Chronic Conditions" recommendations. It also calculates three cost scenarios: Healthy Year, Moderate Use, and High Use (surgery).
Do health insurance brokers push certain plans for higher commissions?
Reputable brokers recommend plans based on your needs, not commissions. In Minnesota, MNsure-certified brokers must follow ethical guidelines. However, commission structures can vary by carrier. If you're concerned, ask your broker directly about commissions, or use an unbiased tool like Navitize that has no financial incentive to recommend one plan over another.
What questions should I ask a health insurance broker?
Ask: (1) Are you MNsure certified? (2) Do you charge any fees? (3) Which insurance carriers do you represent? (4) How do you get paid? (5) Can you help me apply for subsidies? (6) What happens if I need help after enrollment? These questions help ensure you're working with a qualified, transparent professional.
Still Not Sure? Try Both!
Start with Navitize to get AI-powered recommendations and cost scenarios instantly. If you want additional human guidance, you can always contact a broker—it's free either way!
Disclaimer
This quiz and guide are for informational purposes only. Navitize is not a licensed insurance broker. For official enrollment assistance, visit MNsure.org.
Last updated: January 17, 2026