The Short Answer
Medicare quotes are free. Not "free with a catch" — actually free. Licensed agents are paid by insurance carriers through commissions regulated by CMS. Your premium is identical whether you use an agent, enroll directly with the carrier, or sign up at Medicare.gov. Using an agent adds $0 to your cost.
The longer answer is how this works — and why it matters for getting unbiased advice.
How Medicare Agent Compensation Works — 2026
Who pays, how much, and whether it affects your premium
Source: CMS 2026 Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines, industry commission schedules. Amounts are approximate and vary slightly by carrier.
The One Question You Should Always Ask
"Are you showing me all available options — or only the plans you sell?"
This is the most important question in Medicare shopping. A captive agent works for one carrier and can only show you their plans. An independent agent is contracted with multiple carriers and compares all options. Both are free to you. But only the independent agent is comparing your full range of choices.
At GenerationHealth, we're independent — contracted with every major carrier in NC. We compare all options and recommend based on your doctors and medications, not a single company's products.
The "do agents push higher-commission plans?" concern is valid — especially for Medigap, where commissions vary by carrier. Here's how I handle it: I show every client the full carrier comparison with premiums listed. I explain which carrier has the lowest rate, which has the strongest rate-increase history, and which has the best 5-year cost projection. The commission difference between carriers is small. The premium difference over 5 years can be thousands. I'd rather have a client for 10 years at a slightly lower commission than lose them in 2 because I recommended the wrong plan.
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📞 Call Now 💬 Text Us 📅 Book an AppointmentWhat "Free" Does NOT Mean
The quote is free. Choosing the wrong plan is not. "Free" means the comparison costs $0. It doesn't mean every plan option is the same, or that every agent is showing you the full picture. Three ways "free" can mislead:
What Free Means
What Free Does NOT Mean
The quote is free. The penalty for delaying is not. Part B: 10% of $202.90 per 12-month delay — permanent. Part D: 1% of $38.99 per uncovered month — permanent. Get quotes early in your enrollment window, not at the deadline. See our premium penalties guide.
Real NC Cost Ranges an Agent Compares for You
- Part B premium: $202.90/month (everyone pays this)
- Medicare Advantage: $0–$150/month on top of Part B, OOP max up to $8,850
- Medigap Plan G: $116–$198/month at age 65 in NC
- Medigap Plan N: $94–$166/month at age 65 in NC
- Part D standalone: $0–$90+/month, $2,100 OOP cap, $0–$615 deductible
These ranges come from the same data an agent uses — the difference is an agent checks your specific doctors, drugs, and county. For the full picture, see our Medicare Costs NC 2026 Guide.
Related Guides
- Who Provides Free Medicare Quotes Online — source legitimacy and safety
- Get Free Medicare Quotes in NC — action page to start comparing
- Medicare Quotes Near Me in NC
- MA Quotes in NC | Medigap Quotes | Part D Quotes
- MA vs Medigap Cost Comparison
- Understanding Medicare in NC
- Turning 65 & Medicare in NC
- Enrollment Help in NC
- Local Medicare Agents in NC
- Talk With a Local NC Agent
- Affordable Medicare Agents in NC
- Enrollment Deadlines
- Premium Penalties
- Medicare in NC Complete Guide for 2026
County guides: Durham, Wake, Orange, Guilford, Forsyth, Buncombe.
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