The Independent Agent Dilemma
Becoming an independent Medicare agent is often pitched as the ultimate freedom: set your own schedule, control your income, and build your business your way. And in many ways, that’s true.
But what most agents discover within a few months of going 1099 is that independence can also mean isolation. You’re not just the agent anymore — you’re also your own marketing department, admin assistant, tech support, and compliance officer.
Common frustrations we hear from new or transitioning agents include:
- Struggling to find consistent leads
- Spending hours on manual admin work
- Losing track of follow-ups and renewals
- Not knowing who to call when issues come up
- Feeling like they’re building a business alone
Many agents burn out — not because they can’t sell, but because they’re forced to do everything alone. That’s where FMOs come in.
What FMOs Are Supposed to Offer
A Field Marketing Organization (FMO) exists to support agents like you. The idea is simple: give independent agents the infrastructure they need to succeed without turning them into captive employees.
The best FMOs provide:
- Access to top national and regional carriers
- Contracting and onboarding assistance
- Compliance coaching
- Marketing support
- Lead systems
- CRM and back-office tools
- Live agent support
Unfortunately, many FMOs overpromise and underdeliver. Agents are often lured in with big talk about “support” or “leads,” only to find:
- Slow response times (especially during AEP)
- Confusing or outdated systems
- No dedicated point of contact
- Empty promises around marketing and tech
- Little help growing beyond solo production
So in 2025, more agents are getting smarter — and choosing FMOs that actually help them grow with the right mix of independence and structure.
What Agents Really Want from an FMO
Through dozens of conversations and surveys, we’ve found that most agents don’t want hand-holding. They want:
- Real tools that save them time
- Respect for their independence
- A human they can call when things go sideways
- Help growing their book — not just maintaining it
- Opportunities to build a team if and when they’re ready
And above all, they want to know they’re not just a number.
That’s exactly why TMS exists — and why so many agents are switching to our model.
How TMS Is Leading the FMO Evolution in 2025
At TMS Insurance Brokerage, we built everything around the idea that agents should feel empowered, not controlled. We’re tech-forward, service-obsessed, and deeply invested in agent growth.
Here’s what makes TMS different from the typical FMO.
1. A Free CRM Built Just for Medicare Agents
We provide every contracted agent with a fully loaded CRM — built on GoHighLevel and customized for the Medicare space. It’s not just “a tool,” it’s your digital assistant.
What you can do:
- Send automated appointment confirmations
- Follow up via SMS or email without lifting a finger
- Organize leads by stage (new, interested, needs follow-up)
- Track birthdays, anniversaries, and policy renewal dates
- Use pre-built workflows for long-term nurturing
You don’t need to be tech-savvy — we help you set everything up. Most agents save 5 to 10 hours a week just by automating their follow-up.
2. Up to $900/Month in Marketing Reimbursement
Instead of feeding agents recycled leads, we help them generate their own — and reimburse up to $900/month for doing so.
Here’s how it works:
- Write 8 Medicare Advantage policies in a month? You qualify for $450
- Write 16? You qualify for $900
- Reimbursement applies to your actual marketing expenses — like Facebook ads, mailers, event costs, flyers, and more
Agents love that they’re not forced into using one lead vendor. You choose the strategy that works best in your market — we help fund it.
3. One-on-One Support That Feels Like a Team
Every agent gets their own dedicated Agent Success Manager. This is your go-to person for:
- Onboarding
- Carrier contracting
- Compliance guidance
- CRM setup
- Escalation issues
- Strategic growth planning
You’ll also have access to weekly coaching sessions, live chat support, and training libraries — but the 1:1 help is where most agents see the difference.
You’re independent, but never alone.
4. Team Building Support for Growing Agents
Want to build a team or downline? We help agents become leaders with systems designed to scale:
- Contracting and onboarding for your recruits
- Commission tracking assistance
- Access to tools your whole team can use
- Templates and automations for recruiting
If you’re ready to grow beyond solo production, we’ve got the infrastructure to help you lead — without getting buried in admin work.
5. A Culture That Values You as a Business Owner
At the end of the day, you are your own brand. We’re not here to replace that — we’re here to back it up.
You’ll never be forced to:
- Use TMS branding exclusively
- Follow a script that doesn’t fit your market
- Give up control of your marketing or client relationships
You decide how you want to grow. We simply give you the tools, funding, and guidance to make it faster and easier.
Real Feedback from Agents Who’ve Switched
“I felt like I was doing everything on my own. Now, I have someone to call when I need help — and I actually enjoy using my CRM.”
— Agent in Texas
“I’ve been with three FMOs. TMS is the only one that showed up for me during AEP.”
— Agent in Florida
“The reimbursement program allowed me to finally scale up my mailers — and they paid off big time.”
— Agent in California
Is It Time to Rethink Your FMO Relationship?
If you’re tired of empty promises, tech that doesn’t work, or feeling like just another contract in someone’s downline, it’s time to explore something better.
TMS was built for the modern Medicare agent: independent, driven, and smart about how they spend their time.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow your team, we’re here to support you with:
- Proven tools
- Real support
- Transparent programs
- A culture that treats you like a partner
Want to see how it works before committing?
Schedule a no-pressure call, test-drive our CRM, or join one of our weekly recruiting events. We’re here when you’re ready.