What should I bring to a Medicare appointment?

Bring your Medicare card or the date your Part A and Part B start, a complete list of your prescriptions with doses, the names of the doctors and clinics you want to keep, your preferred pharmacy, and any current plan documents. With those five things a full comparison usually takes one conversation.

Does a Medicare agent cost anything?

No. A licensed Medicare agent costs you nothing, and your premium is exactly the same whether you enroll through an agent, directly with the insurance company, or on Medicare.gov. Agents are paid a commission by the insurance carrier, not by you, and that commission is already built into the filed plan price.

Do I need to sign a Scope of Appointment before we talk about plans?

Short answer: Yes. Medicare rules require a Scope of Appointment to be agreed and recorded before an agent discusses specific Medicare Advantage or drug plans with you, and it must be in writing for an in-person meeting. Personal Touch sends you a short electronic form. It only lists the plan types you want to talk about and does not enroll you in anything.

Last reviewed: October 26, 2026 · Reviewed by the Personal Touch Ins. & Benefits Data Desk · Rule in effect for 2027 plan sales

A Scope of Appointment, often called an SOA, is a one-page record of which kinds of coverage you want to discuss, for example Medicare Advantage, a Part D drug plan or a Medicare Supplement. The federal rule is in 42 CFR 422.2264(c)(3): before a personal marketing appointment, the plan or agent must agree on and record the scope with you, and it must be in writing when the meeting is in person.

Why it protects you. The SOA keeps the conversation to what you asked about. Under the same rule an agent may not market a health product you did not agree to discuss, and may not use a Medicare appointment to sell unrelated products such as annuities. If you want to add something mid-conversation, a new SOA covers it.

How long it lasts. The rule makes a Scope of Appointment valid for 12 months from the date you sign it. If we review your plan every fall, expect a fresh form each year.

What it is not. Signing an SOA does not enroll you, does not commit you to buy anything and does not share your information with a plan. It simply lets CarrieAnne get into the details of specific plans with you, which she cannot do without it.

How we handle it. Our SOA is an electronic form you can sign on a phone or computer, and the link is on our Insurance Forms page. In the part that asks about the beneficiary, use YOUR name, YOUR address and YOUR phone number, not ours. If you do not have a computer, call or text 208-350-9933 and we will walk through it with you.

Related on this site: Scope of Appointment form · Book a comparison

Sources

eCFR, 42 CFR 422.2264 Beneficiary contact, paragraph (c)(3) Personal marketing appointments · accessed October 26, 2026

This page is general information, not advice about your specific situation, and it is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Rules and figures change, so confirm current requirements with CMS, Social Security, or a licensed agent before you act. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 5 organizations which offer 300 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Do I need to sign a Scope of Appointment before we talk about plans?

Sources

Related Questions

What should I bring to a Medicare appointment?

Does a Medicare agent cost anything?

Still Not Sure How It Applies to You?