Legislative Video Update: Medicare Advantage and Supplemental Plan Commission Changes

Minnesota’s Medicare Advantage market is facing unprecedented disruption and agents across the state are searching for answers. In this exclusive Big I Minnesota briefing, Robyn Rowen, Big I Minnesota’s lobbyist, sits down with TJ Patton, Senior Director, Insurance Investigations and Examinations for the Minnesota DOC, to break down what agents need to know as we head into a turbulent 2026. Together, they walk through the sharp carrier exits, commission pauses, and regulatory limitations that have left more than 200,000 Minnesota seniors scrambling for coverage — and agents struggling to support them without compensation.

In this discussion, we cover:

• • The real scope of the Medicare Advantage disruption going into 2026
  • Why carriers are exiting and cutting service areas
  • Why commissions can be paused — and why the state can’t intervene
  • What agents can and cannot do under current federal CMS rules
  • Whether charging fees is allowed
  • How suitability applies when recommending Medicare Supplement plans
  • What documentation regulators expect agents to maintain
  • Reliable resources to help clients during this crisis
  • What Big I Minnesota is doing to support members

TJ provides clear, practical guidance directly from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, explaining what’s federally regulated, what the state can enforce, and where the gaps exist.

Why this video matters:

Minnesota agents are on the front lines of one of the biggest Medicare disruptions in decades. This conversation delivers the clarity and direction agents need to help clients make informed decisions — even when regulations tie the state’s hands.

Brought to you by Big I Minnesota — supporting independent agents with real solutions, real advocacy, and real expertise.

Here are resources mentioned throughout the video:

As an agent, where can I refer my customers for assistance with Advantage and Prescription Drug plans:

1. 1. 1. Carrier websites and carrier customer service telephone numbers
      2. Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly Senior Linkage Line) aging.pathway.state.mn.usand 1-800-333-2433
      3. Medicare.gov and 1-800-Medicare
      4. State health program eligibility: https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/health-care/health-care-programs/contact-us/.
      5. Individual plan assistance: https://www.mnsure.org/help/find-assister.

Reference

• • Insurance fees for Advantage and Prescription Drug plans: 42 CFR 422.2274(c)(8) and 42 CFR 423.2274(C)(8).
  • Insurance fees and suitability: Minn. Stat. § 46, subds. 2, 4.