GH.me
GenerationHealth.me
Independent Medicare Broker
Medicare · Durham & Wake Counties NC
Where Can I Find a Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent Who Serves Durham and Wake Counties?
Verified license. Independent. Knows the Durham and Wake County carrier networks. Answered by a licensed NC broker.
Where are you in your Medicare journey?
›
01 · New to Medicare
I’m turning 65 and need a local agent I can trust
→ 15-minute enrollment walkthrough for Durham & Wake
›
02 · Already Enrolled
I want to compare 2026 plans with someone local
→ AEP review: which plans keep your doctors
›
03 · Helping Family
I’m helping my parent or spouse find an agent
→ Family call — I talk with both of you at once
Prefer to just talk? (828) 761-3326
• Licensed · NC #10447418
• Independent · All Carriers
• No SSN Required
• $0 Cost to Compare
• 500+ NC Families Helped
The direct answer
Direct Answer — Durham & Wake Counties, NC · 2026
Robert Simm serves Durham and Wake counties from 2731 Meridian Pkwy, Durham NC 27713. Licensed in NC, TX and GA (NPN #10447418), he is an independent broker representing every major carrier — UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, WellCare — at zero cost because carriers pay commissions. He verifies your Duke Health and WakeMed doctors by name before enrolling. Robert Simm, licensed NC health insurance broker, NPN #10447418, at (828) 761-3326.
Who to Call in Wake County
The Part Medicare.gov Can't Answer
I answer my own phone in March. A call center hands you a different agent every year — I’m the same broker who set up your plan, and I’m who you call when a claim gets denied.
Phone · (828) 761-3326
NPN · #10447418
Licensed · NC, TX, GA · AHIP certified
Verify · NAIC SBS lookup
Cost · $0 — carriers pay the commission
Office · 2731 Meridian Pkwy, Durham NC 27713
What Durham & Wake families ask
What should I look for when choosing a Medicare agent in Durham or Wake County?
These are the four questions I hear most from Durham and Wake County residents looking for a Medicare agent.
01
How do I know they’re actually licensed?
Go to sbs.naic.org and search by name. Any legitimate agent gives you their NPN upfront. Robert Simm’s is #10447418. If an agent won’t share their license number, hang up.
02
Independent broker vs. captive agent — what’s the difference?
A captive agent sells one carrier’s plans. An independent broker compares every major carrier for your zip code, doctors, and medications. The cost to you is $0 either way — the carrier pays the commission.
03
Will they know if my Duke or UNC doctor is in-network?
A local broker verifies network contracts directly with each carrier — not just the online directory, which can be 6 months stale. This is the single biggest value of working with someone local to the Triangle.
04
What about those 1-800 call center “advisors”?
National call centers (eHealth, GoHealth, SelectQuote) get paid more to steer you toward certain carriers. You talk to a different agent every call. Several are under active DOJ investigation. A local independent broker works for you.
⚠️ Call-center agents don’t verify local networks
In Durham County, Duke Health is in-network on some MA-HMO plans in January and drops out by mid-year. A 1-800 agent won’t catch this — they read from a federal directory. A local broker calls the carrier and verifies the contract is locked through December 31 before you enroll. One wrong plan can cost you $5,000+ in out-of-network bills.
The difference
What’s the real difference between doing it alone and working with an independent NC broker?
| What do you need to know? | Medicare.gov | Rob Simm — NC #10447418 |
|---|---|---|
| Plans you can compare | Whatever’s listed, no NC context | Every major NC carrier, filtered to your situation |
| Durham/Wake network knowledge | Generic federal directories, often 6 months stale | Direct contract verification with Duke, UNC, WakeMed |
| 2026 cost math for your budget | Generic rules — no IRMAA, no spousal coordination | Run with your real income and household |
| Part D formulary check | Manual entry per drug, per plan | Every prescription checked on every eligible plan |
| Same person next year | Different agent every call | Same broker, same phone number, every AEP |
| Cost to you | $0 (just your time and risk) | $0 — carrier pays the same commission regardless |
2026 Medicare numbers
What are the key 2026 Medicare costs a Durham County resident should know?
$202.90
Part B premium per month
2026 standard rate. Higher with IRMAA surcharge based on income above $106,000.
$283
Part B annual deductible
You pay this before Medicare covers 80% of outpatient care.
$9,250
MA in-network out-of-pocket max
2026 cap on in-network Medicare Advantage spending.
$2,100
Part D out-of-pocket cap
No catastrophic Rx costs in 2026. Insulin capped at $35/month.
💡 Broker Tip — Durham & Wake Counties
In Durham and Wake counties, Duke Health and UNC Health dominate the specialist landscape. Before you pick any Medicare Advantage plan, ask the broker to verify — with the carrier, not just the directory — that your specific Duke or UNC physicians are in-network through December 31, 2026. PPO plans give you the most flexibility if you see providers at both systems. I verify every contract before enrollment. Call (828) 761-3326.
— Rob Simm, Licensed Medicare Broker, NC #10447418
10 minutes. You'll know where you stand.
Rob Simm · Licensed NC Medicare Broker · NPN #10447418
Now pick how you want to move forward — your pace.
PLAN MATCH · 3 MINUTES
Let's start with you.
15-MIN CALL · SAME-WEEK SLOTS
Book on Calendly ▾
Prefer to just talk? (828) 761-3326
Licensed in North Carolina · Serving NC residents only
No pressure · No sales pitch · Your data never sold
Real scenario · Durham County
What happens when you pick the wrong agent vs. the right one?
Call-center agent
$5,200+
A Durham resident enrolled through a 1-800 number in an MA-HMO that dropped Duke Cardiology mid-year. She needed a stress test — out-of-network. Between the specialist, imaging, and follow-up she paid $5,200 out of pocket on a plan that was supposed to cap at $0 copays in-network.
Independent local broker
$0
Same resident, same health profile. A local broker who verified Duke’s contract through Dec 31 would have placed her on a PPO that keeps Duke in-network — or on Medigap Plan G where Duke acceptance is guaranteed. Total surprise bills: $0.
It pays to talk to the right broker
How much does it cost to work with a local Medicare broker?
It doesn’t — because I get paid by the insurance carrier to manage your plan. Most call centers get paid more to steer your business toward certain carriers based on volume and contracts. The only thing I’m optimizing for is making sure you’re covered correctly when you actually need it. That’s what keeps people coming back. And referring their neighbors.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a Medicare agent is licensed in North Carolina?
Go to sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup, select North Carolina, and search by name or NPN. Robert Simm’s NC license number is #10447418. Any legitimate agent will give you their license number upfront.
Is there a fee to work with a Medicare broker in Durham County?
No. Medicare brokers are paid by the insurance carrier when you enroll, and the commission is identical regardless of which plan you choose. There is no cost to you for comparing plans, getting advice, or enrolling through a broker.
What is the difference between a captive agent and an independent broker?
A captive agent represents one insurance carrier and can only show you that carrier’s plans. An independent broker like Robert Simm represents every major carrier in NC and can compare all available options for your zip code, doctors, and medications. Call (828) 761-3326.
Can a Durham County broker help me if I also need ACA coverage?
Yes. Robert Simm is licensed for both Medicare and ACA plans in North Carolina. If you’re under 65, losing employer coverage, or have a spouse who needs ACA while you’re on Medicare, he can handle both. Call (828) 761-3326.
What happens during the first call with a Medicare broker?
A 10-minute conversation to understand your doctors, medications, and budget. No pressure, no SSN required, no commitment to enroll. You can call (828) 761-3326 or book at calendly.com/robert-generationhealth/new-meeting.
Related Medicare guides
Medicare Enrollment in NC – 2026 Guide
Extra Help/LIS Eligibility NC 2026
Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in NC
Extra Help / LIS in NC – 2026 Eligibility Guide
Working Past 65 – Medicare Enrollment
Special Enrollment Periods in NC
Cheap Health Insurance Without Employer Coverage
Free Medicare Quotes Online
Get help in nearby NC counties
Next Review: October 2026
© 2026 GenerationHealth.me
10 minutes. You'll know where you stand.
Rob Simm · Licensed NC Medicare Broker · NPN #10447418
Now pick how you want to move forward — your pace.
PLAN MATCH · 3 MINUTES
Let's start with you.
Prefer to just talk? (828) 761-3326
Licensed in North Carolina · Serving NC residents only
No pressure · No sales pitch · Your data never sold