U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) recently proposed bipartisan legislation to address barriers that discourage local independent agents from assisting Medicare beneficiaries, while tackling telemarketers who exploit the confusion and anxiety created by the complexity of the Medicare process.
“Seniors rely on local, independent brokers to navigate them through the complicated process of Medicare enrollment,” Sen. Rounds said on Sept. 17. “These are our neighbors that are operating businesses in our hometowns, a far cry from the predatory offshore call centers that use a confusing process to charge exorbitant fees.”
The Independent Broker Relief and Oversight of Knowingly Egregious and Repetitive Sales Tactics In Medicare Enrollment Act of 2025, also known as the Independent BROKERS TIME Act of 2025, S. 2625, “would differentiate between the two, allowing independent brokers to spend less time navigating complicated red tape and return to their main goal of helping their clients navigate the Medicare process.”
The senator on July 31 sponsored S. 2625 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) to update the definition of a third-party marketing organization to distinguish between call centers and an independent agent or broker.
This distinction would determine whether local, independent agents are regulated the same way as large, high-volume call centers, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Rounds’ staff.
Additionally, S. 2625 would create oversight mechanisms for predatory call centers and nullify the 48-hour Scope of Appointment waiting period for independent agents and brokers, the summary says.
“Nevada seniors rely on independent agents and trusted brokers to help them enroll in the Medicare coverage that is right for them,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “This common-sense, bipartisan bill would cut red-tape for small insurance businesses that help seniors, while cracking down on misleading marketing and predatory call centers.”
The bill is supported by numerous entities, including Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, among others.