An ICHRA broker can be paid by an insurer, by an employer or through an administrator’s invoice. The fee can depend on the plan, enrollment channel, state or number of people enrolled. Separately, agent-of-record terms determine which broker is associated with the account or policy. Ask for both the payment terms and the service assignment before comparing proposals.
Three examples of how compensation works
| Example | What the document says | What the buyer should confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier bonus | Select Health’s 2027 Utah schedule describes a $20 bonus per eligible new or renewing individual-plan member in two installments. Agents must meet a 300-member threshold. Utah residency and enrollment snapshot dates apply. The schedule covers individual plans generally. source | Which insurers pay the broker, whether compensation varies with the selected plan, and whether a volume bonus or renewal commission applies. |
| Broker fee on an administrator invoice | The zizzl and HealthPass partner FAQ describes a broker-set amount added to the standard administration fee, billed as a flat monthly amount or per enrolled employee. The FAQ describes a similar arrangement for a general agent, when applicable. source source | The line-item amount, who receives it, which service it pays for and which workers count toward the bill. |
| Broker stays on record while a partner helps employees | eHealth and BerniePortal’s September 23 announcement describes a workflow where the broker can keep agent-of-record status and eHealth provides licensed individual-plan shopping and enrollment help. The announcement gives no commission schedule. source | Whether the designation applies at the employer or individual-policy level, who receives any commission and who resolves coverage problems after enrollment. |
What happens if you change brokers?
Get the answer in writing before signing. In the zizzl and HealthPass example, the new broker can gain access after a notice period while the previous broker can continue to receive compensation through the end of the first agreement year. Later-year terms differ. Use the actual contract to establish who receives account data, who gets paid and who supports employees on each date. source
How to compare written proposals
- Ask the broker and administrator to identify each payer, recipient, amount or calculation, and the service it buys. Include carrier commissions, employer fees, pass-through charges, bonuses and renewal terms where they apply.
- Ask which carriers and plan channels the broker or platform can represent, which eligible options require employees to shop elsewhere, and what support is available for those plans.
- Compare the cost for the same workforce and service scope. A per-member carrier bonus and a per-enrolled-employee administration fee use different units. Keep both separate from the insurance premium and employee reimbursement.
- Test a specific case. Ask who helps an employee keep a specialist, fix a first-premium problem or move a policy after the employer changes brokers.
The examples document ways to pay for service and assign responsibility. They do not establish the prevalence of any model or how any specific plan was recommended. The written proposal, available plan list and employee support workflow are the evidence needed for your decision.
Use the plan recommendation guide to check the coverage options and the provider fee monitor to separate dated public fees from the quote in front of you.
Sources and evidence
Review dates are recorded for each source above. Company pages are useful for confirming how a product is described, but they do not prove service quality or customer results.
Suggested citation
Cite this page for our analysis. Cite the original linked study or record for its own findings.
ICHRA Report. How ICHRA brokers get paid and what employers should ask. Published November 5, 2026. https://ichrareport.com/research/ichra-broker-platform-compensation/