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Health insurance agent vs insurance broker

The differences between health insurance agents and insurance brokers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an insurance broker has an average salary of $94,006, which is higher than the $49,934 average annual salary of a health insurance agent.

The top three skills for a health insurance agent include HIPAA, health insurance and customer service. The most important skills for an insurance broker are customer service, life insurance products, and lead generation.

Health insurance agent vs insurance broker overview

Health Insurance AgentInsurance Broker
Yearly salary$49,934$94,006
Hourly rate$24.01$45.20
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs112,23538,403
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does a health insurance agent do?

Health Insurance Agents are salespeople whose primary product is health insurance. Insurance companies hire them to reach sales targets. They are trained to sell insurance to individuals or groups of people. They are expected to be familiar with all the products of the company. Health Insurance Agents should assess their clients' needs and recommend the best health insurance product that fits their needs. They should be able to explain the product's features and answer any inquiries that the clients may have. Health Insurance Agents should also know how to compute insurance premiums and estimate payouts.

What does an insurance broker do?

Insurance brokers are responsible for assisting clients to determine their liability risks and in selecting the appropriate policies for their family, home, business, or automobile to ensure their protection. They direct clients in creating a sound decision and supply them with a variety of quotes that best suit their needs. Their duties include demonstrating the benefits, terms, conditions, and suspension for a number of participating insurance policies. Also, they may negotiate lesser rates for their clients and continue in guiding these clients in technical issues like filing a claim or changing their insurance coverage.

Health insurance agent vs insurance broker salary

Health insurance agents and insurance brokers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Health Insurance AgentInsurance Broker
Average salary$49,934$94,006
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $72,000Between $62,000 And $141,000
Highest paying CityTacoma, WABirmingham, AL
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyDialAmericaLiberty Mutual Insurance
Best paying industryFinanceInsurance

Differences between health insurance agent and insurance broker education

There are a few differences between a health insurance agent and an insurance broker in terms of educational background:

Health Insurance AgentInsurance Broker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Health insurance agent vs insurance broker demographics

Here are the differences between health insurance agents' and insurance brokers' demographics:

Health Insurance AgentInsurance Broker
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 43.5% Female, 56.5%Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between health insurance agent and insurance broker duties and responsibilities

Health insurance agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage communication points between corporate advisers, providers and patients for medical service advisory requests.
  • Sold/Enrol individuals in ACA health plans over the phone by making cold calls on a daily basses.
  • Explain healthcare benefits cover by major insurance carriers under the ACA.
  • Post CPT codes and ICD-9 codes for every patient at check-out.
  • Verify clients' eligibility and check clients' status within CMS and UHC system.
  • Initiate appeals process on behalf of members, and assist with online web portal services.
  • Show more

Insurance broker example responsibilities.

  • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
  • Work as an independent financial planner selling life insurance and annuities to individuals and families
  • Facilitate communications between doctors, hospitals, third party insurance companies and patients to obtain and verify patient billing information.
  • Deliver on the GEICO promise to customers by solving problems and giving competent insurance advice in a courteous and proficient manner.

Health insurance agent vs insurance broker skills

Common health insurance agent skills
  • HIPAA, 57%
  • Health Insurance, 11%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Health Insurance Products, 3%
  • Health Insurance Sales, 2%
  • Inbound Calls, 2%
Common insurance broker skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Life Insurance Products, 8%
  • Lead Generation, 8%
  • Financial Resources, 8%
  • Annuities, 8%
  • Insurance Carriers, 6%