Start by calling Rob Simm at (828) 761-3326 — a licensed independent Medicare broker serving Durham, Wake, Orange, and surrounding NC counties. Rob works with every carrier (Humana, Aetna, BCBS NC, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna), verifies your doctors are in-network with Duke Health and UNC Health before recommending any plan, and costs you $0 because the insurance carrier pays his commission. In 2026, you have 30+ Medicare Advantage plans and multiple Medigap options available in the Raleigh-Durham area. For your specific situation, call Rob at (828) 761-3326 — free, no obligation.

What Raleigh-Durham families ask

What should I watch out for when choosing a Medicare agent?

These are the four biggest concerns I hear from people searching for a Medicare agent in the Triangle.

“How do I know the agent isn’t just selling me whatever pays them the most?”

Independent brokers get paid the same commission regardless of which carrier you choose. Captive agents — those employed by one company — can only show you that company’s plans. Ask upfront: “Are you independent or captive?”

“Will this agent still answer the phone next year?”

Call-center agents disappear after enrollment. An independent local broker stays because your plan renewal is their income. Rob Simm has served the same Raleigh-Durham families since 2014 — same phone number, same person.

“Do I have to give my Social Security number?”

No. You never need to give your SSN to compare Medicare plans. Any agent asking for your Social Security number before showing you options is a red flag. All you need is your zip code, date of birth, and current medications.

“Can this agent check if my Duke or UNC doctor is covered?”

Not every agent does this. Rob verifies provider networks directly with Duke Health and UNC Health — not just the carrier’s online directory, which is often outdated. He checks your specific doctors before you enroll.

⚠️ Not all Medicare agents are equal

In the Raleigh-Durham area, dozens of agents are licensed to sell Medicare plans. But many are captive to a single carrier, work from out-of-state call centers, or disappear after enrollment. A bad recommendation can lock you into a plan that drops your Duke oncologist or your UNC cardiologist — and you may not be able to switch until Open Enrollment. The Part B penalty for delayed enrollment is 10% per 12 months for life. The Medigap open enrollment window closes 6 months after you turn 65 and never reopens.

The difference

What’s the difference between a call center and an independent broker?

What do you need to know?	Call Center (eHealth, GoHealth)	Rob Simm — NC #10447418
Who picks up the phone?	Different agent every time — no history of your plan or situation	Same broker every call — I already know your doctors, meds, and plan
Carrier access	May be incentivized to push carriers that pay higher commissions	Independent — I work with all carriers and get paid the same regardless
Provider verification	Reads from the carrier’s online directory — often outdated	I call Duke Health and UNC Health directly to verify your specific doctors
Drug cost analysis	Generic formulary overview — doesn’t run your actual medications	I run your full drug list through every plan’s formulary to find your lowest annual cost
Local knowledge	Agent may be in Arizona or Florida — doesn’t know Wake vs Durham networks	Based in Durham — I know which plans cover WakeMed, Duke, and UNC by zip code
After enrollment	Agent moves to the next sale — good luck reaching them in March	I answer my phone the next year when your plan changes or your doctor leaves the network

2026 Medicare numbers

What are the key Medicare costs in 2026?

$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.

$9,350

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 — Raleigh-Durham

In the Triangle, your biggest decision isn’t which plan letter to pick — it’s whether your Duke or UNC specialists are in-network. I’ve seen clients enroll in a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan only to discover their Duke oncologist isn’t covered. By the time they find out, Open Enrollment is over and they’re stuck for the year. Before you pick any plan, call me and I’ll verify your specific doctors — not just the hospital system.

— Rob Simm, Licensed Medicare Broker, NC #10447418

10 minutes. You'll know where you stand.

Rob Simm · Licensed NC Medicare Broker · NPN #10447418

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Licensed in North Carolina · Serving NC residents only

No pressure · No sales pitch · Your data never sold

Real scenario · Raleigh-Durham

What happens when you pick the wrong agent?

Call-center agent — out of state

$4,200+

Enrolled in a $0-premium MA plan without verifying Duke network. Duke oncologist was out-of-network. Client paid $4,200 in out-of-network specialist visits before Open Enrollment allowed a switch.

Independent local broker

Verified Duke oncologist was in-network before enrollment. Client paid $0 out-of-pocket for specialist visits after the $283 Part B deductible. Same doctor, right plan, no surprises.

It pays to talk to the right broker

Does it cost anything to use a 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

What should I look for in a Medicare agent in the Raleigh-Durham area?

Look for an independent broker (not captive to one carrier), a valid NC insurance license you can verify at ncdoi.gov, AHIP certification, and someone who verifies your doctors are in-network before recommending a plan. Rob Simm meets all four — NC License #10447418, AHIP Certified, independent, and he calls Duke Health and UNC Health directly to verify provider networks. Call (828) 761-3326.

How much does a Medicare agent cost in the Raleigh-Durham area?

A licensed Medicare broker costs you $0. Brokers are paid by the insurance carrier — the same commission regardless of which plan you choose. There is no fee, no hidden charge, and no obligation to enroll. If an agent asks you for money, that is a red flag.

What is the difference between a Medicare agent and a Medicare broker?

A captive agent works for one insurance company and can only sell that company’s plans. An independent broker like Rob Simm works with all carriers — Humana, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and others — and recommends whichever plan fits your doctors, medications, and budget. The broker is paid the same commission regardless of which carrier you choose.

Can a Medicare agent help me compare plans for Duke Health and UNC Health networks?

Yes. Rob Simm verifies provider networks with Duke Health and UNC Health directly before recommending any plan. This matters because not all Medicare Advantage plans include every Duke or UNC specialist. He checks your specific doctors — not just the hospital system — before you enroll. Call (828) 761-3326.

How do I verify that a Medicare agent in North Carolina is actually licensed?

Search the NC Department of Insurance license lookup at ncdoi.gov or the NAIC license lookup at sbs.naic.org. Enter the agent’s name or NPN number. Rob Simm’s NPN is #10447418. Any legitimate agent will give you their license number upfront — if they won’t, find someone else.

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

Wake Orange Guilford Forsyth Buncombe Mecklenburg All NC Counties →

Robert Simm

Licensed Independent Medicare Broker

Helping NC families navigate Medicare since 2014. Independent — I work with all carriers and get paid the same regardless of which plan you choose. I verify provider networks with Duke Health directly and answer my own phone the next year when something changes.

📞 (828) 761-3326 📋 NC #10447418 🏥 AHIP Certified ⭐ 5.0 · 20+ reviews 📍 2731 Meridian Pkwy, Durham NC 27713 🕐 Mon–Fri 9am–7pm ET

Last Updated: 2026-05-04 | Reviewed By: Robert Simm, Licensed Medicare Broker, NC #10447418 | Next Review: October 2026

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for information on all of your options. GenerationHealth.me and Robert Simm are independent agents not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent may contact you. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Plan availability, premiums, and benefits vary by location and carrier. © 2026 GenerationHealth.me