Finding the Best Health Insurance Brokers in St. Louis, Missouri

Health insurance can be confusing and stressful to shop for on your own. Working with a knowledgeable broker can make the process much smoother. Brokers have access to a wide range of plans and can help you find an affordable policy that meets your needs.

This article will provide an overview of health insurance brokers in St. Louis and tips for choosing the right one.

What Do Health Insurance Brokers Do?

Health insurance brokers act as your advocate and advisor when shopping for coverage. They are licensed by the state and have contracts with multiple insurance carriers.

Some key services brokers provide include:

• Comparing plans from different insurers to find the best fit and price for you. Brokers have access to plans you can’t get directly from an insurance company.

• Answering questions and explaining terminology like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, etc. Their expertise helps you understand policy details.

• Determining if you qualify for government assistance like tax credits and subsidies. They handle the application process for you.

• Assisting with enrollment, paperwork, and claims issues. They are your ongoing point of contact for managing your policy.

• Providing personalized advice based on your specific situation. For example, brokers can recommend plans if you have a preexisting condition.

The best part is that working with a broker costs you nothing extra! They are paid commissions by insurance companies, not clients.

How to Choose a Broker in St. Louis

With dozens of brokerages in St. Louis, it can be hard to determine which one is right for your needs. Here are some tips for choosing a reputable broker:

Verify Licenses

Always confirm a broker is properly licensed by the Missouri Department of Insurance. Their license number indicates they have met state training and ethics requirements.

You can look up a broker’s license status online. Avoid brokers who aren’t legally able to sell policies in Missouri.

Look for Experience and Specialties

Find a broker who focuses on individual and family health insurance. Employee benefits brokers work more with group and workplace policies.

Ask about their experience with specific types of plans like HMOs, PPOs, HSAs, and EPOs. Look for several years of experience at minimum.

Specialties like Medicare, dental insurance, or student health plans are a plus. They’ll have deep knowledge of those types of coverage.

Read Reviews and Ask for Referrals

Online reviews, testimonials, or word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients are great signs. A reputable, skilled broker will have plenty of happy customers.

Be wary of brokers with no reviews or only negative feedback. Dissatisfied customers may be an indication to steer clear.

Interview Brokers

It’s smart to have intro calls with 2-3 brokers before deciding. Ask plenty of questions about their services, carriers they work with, and experience.

A good broker will take time to get to know you, understand your needs, and explain how they can help. You want someone responsive who makes you comfortable.

Compare Their Plan Options

A broker who only offers plans from 1 or 2 companies likely can’t find you the best deal. Work with a broker who contracts with at least 5-10 major insurance carriers.

Ask for sample quotes on plans they would recommend for your situation. Compare coverage and price estimates across brokers.

Top-Rated Health Insurance Brokers in St. Louis

Based on licenses, experience, reviews and client satisfaction, here are five of the top health insurance brokers in St. Louis to consider:

MB Health

With an “Excellent” 5-star rating on Expertise.com, MB Health is a leading independent brokerage serving St. Louis. They work with national insurers like Cigna, Anthem, and Principal Financial to offer customized health, dental, life, and Medicare policies.

MB Health has served over 10,000 clients. Their personalized approach and focus on finding affordable rates make them a great choice.

Contact: 9700 MacKenzie Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123 | (314) 770-0502 | mbhealthllc.com

MGI Risk Advisors

MGI Risk Advisors is a branch of Keystone Insurance Partners, one of the largest brokerages in the U.S. They leverage their national scale to get St. Louis clients access to top insurers.

With 4/5 stars on Facebook and Google, clients praise their expertise guiding them to the right health plans. MGI has helped thousands obtain optimal coverage since 1981.

Contact: 1227 Fern Ridge Pkwy #201, Creve Coeur, MO 63141 | (314) 966-2727 | mgiriskadvisors.com

Arch Brokerage

Family-owned Arch Brokerage has 50+ years of experience serving St. Louis. Their brokering experience and relationships with major carriers mean expanded options for your health insurance search.

Arch receives 5-star Google ratings for their personalized guidance. They offer both ACA marketplace and non-ACA health plans to find the best fit.

Contact: 8084 Watson Rd #100, St. Louis, MO 63119 | (314) 849-6363 | archbrokerage.com

Comprehensive Benefits Insurance

With roots in St. Louis, Comprehensive Benefits focuses on securing coverage for individuals, families and seniors. They are highly rated for their expertise with Medicare Advantage, Supplements and Part D plans.

Comprehensive Benefits actively shops rates across insurers like Cigna, Humana, Aetna, and Mutual of Omaha. This saves clients money without sacrificing coverage.

Contact: 2350 S 7th St, St. Louis, MO 63104 | (314) 664-5431 | cbinsure.com

Naeger Insurance Agency

As a family-owned St. Louis brokerage for over 20 years, Naeger Insurance Agency leverages strong relationships with major carriers. This allows them to offer very competitive rates to local families and businesses.

Customers praise their responsiveness and friendliness. Naeger Insurance receives a very solid 4.5/5 rating for professionalism on Expertise.com.

Contact: 4657 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109 | (314) 352-4002 | naegerinsurance.com

What to Expect When Working With a Broker

Purchasing health insurance through a broker is a fairly straightforward process. Here are some things to expect:

• Getting to know you – They’ll ask about your health, finances, family, lifestyle and preferences to pinpoint your needs.

• Plan recommendations – Based on your situation, brokers will suggest plans from different insurers for you to consider.

• Policy review – Brokers will go over plan details like premiums, networks, benefits, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs to ensure you understand each option.

• Enrollment help – They will walk you through signing up, paperwork, and submitting your first payment to get coverage started.

• Ongoing support – Your broker will act as an ongoing resource for questions and changes to your policy. They can assist with issues like renewals, claims, and major life events.

Brokers simplify the complicated process of getting insured. Partnering with the right broker makes securing the optimal coverage much less frustrating.

Start Your Health Insurance Search Today

As you can see, St. Louis has no shortage of experienced and highly rated health insurance brokers. Following the guidance above will help you confidently choose a brokerage you can trust.

The open enrollment period for individual health plans runs from November 1 through December 15 each year. Meet with brokers a few weeks before open enrollment to discuss your options.

Whether you are looking for an affordable plan, wanting to change providers, or confused about healthcare reform, a broker has the answers. Get the ball rolling today to find coverage that meets your needs and budget!