Yes — I’m Rob Simm, a licensed independent Medicare broker in Durham, NC (NPN #10447418), and I serve all 100 North Carolina counties. I help residents navigate 2026 Medicare changes including the $202.90/month Part B premium, $283 Part B deductible, and the new $2,100/year Part D out-of-pocket cap. I verify your doctors accept the specific plan before you enroll — not after. For your specific situation, call me at (828) 761-3326 — free, no obligation.

What NC families ask

What are people really worried about when they search for a Medicare specialist?

These are the four questions behind the question.

Will a specialist actually verify my doctors accept the plan?

Most agents check a carrier directory that’s 6 months out of date. I call the provider’s office directly before you enroll.

Will they push me toward one carrier for their commission?

Call centers get paid more for steering volume. As an independent broker, I get paid the same regardless of which carrier you choose.

Will they still answer the phone next year?

Call-center agents rotate out. I’m the same broker who picks up the phone when your plan changes in January.

What if I’ve already missed a deadline?

Special Enrollment Periods last 8 months after losing employer coverage. I check every qualifying event before we assume you’re locked out.

⚠️ The wrong specialist can cost you permanently

An agent who doesn’t check your employer size could miss that Medicare is primary — leaving you with a 10% Part B penalty for every 12 months you delayed, added to the $202.90/month premium for life. A 3-year delay = 30% higher premium forever. This is the single most expensive Medicare mistake, and it’s completely preventable.

The difference

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

What do you need to know?	Medicare.gov / Call Center	Rob Simm — NC #10447418
Plan recommendations	Shows all plans equally — no filtering for your situation	I filter to the 3–5 plans that match your doctors, meds, and budget
Network verification	You call each carrier yourself to check each doctor	I verify your entire doctor list with each carrier before enrollment
Prescription coverage	You enter each drug manually and compare tier costs	I pre-check every medication on every plan you qualify for
Ongoing support	800 number, hold times, different agent every call	Same broker answers the same phone number next year
Annual plan review	You do it yourself every October or miss the window	I review every client’s plan each AEP — no cost
Penalty prevention	Generic eligibility info — no employer-size check	I verify employer size, creditable coverage, and SEP eligibility before enrollment

2026 Medicare numbers

What are the key Medicare costs for North Carolina 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 — North Carolina

Before you pick any specialist, ask one question: “Are you independent or captive?” A captive agent works for one carrier and can only show you their plans. An independent broker like me works with every carrier in NC and gets paid the same commission regardless of which plan you choose. That’s the only way to get an unbiased comparison.

— 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 · North Carolina

What does the wrong Medicare specialist actually cost you?

Call center agent

$4,800+/yr

Steered into a $0-premium plan without checking formulary. Your heart medication moved to Tier 4 — now $340/month out of pocket. Plus your cardiologist is out-of-network, adding $150 per visit.

Independent NC broker

$0 extra

10-minute call verified your doctors and medications across every plan. You enrolled in a $28/month plan that covers your cardiologist and puts your heart med at Tier 2 — $15 copay.

It pays to talk to the right broker

How much does it cost to work with a Medicare specialist?

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 specialist in North Carolina?

Look for a licensed NC broker (verify at ncdoi.gov) who is independent — meaning they work with all carriers, not just one. They should know local hospital networks, verify your doctors accept the plan before enrollment, and explain 2026 costs like the $202.90/month Part B premium and $9,350 Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket cap. Avoid call centers that steer you toward one carrier.

How much does it cost to talk to a Medicare specialist?

Zero. Licensed Medicare brokers are paid by the insurance carrier when you enroll — not by you. The consultation is free, and you are never charged for plan comparisons, network verification, or annual reviews. Rob Simm provides all of this at no cost to North Carolina residents. Call (828) 761-3326.

Can a Medicare broker help with all parts of Medicare?

Yes. A licensed broker handles Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription drug plans, and Medigap supplements. We know which combinations work best for North Carolina residents based on your specific doctors, medications, and budget — including the 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap of $2,100/year.

What happens if I choose the wrong Medicare plan?

You could face out-of-network bills at the Part A deductible of $1,736 per hospitalization, surprise specialist charges, or medications that moved to a higher tier costing hundreds more per month. Most wrong-plan damage cannot be fixed until the next Annual Enrollment Period in October — meaning you could be stuck for up to 11 months.

What is the most common Medicare mistake NC residents make?

Assuming they are automatically enrolled at 65. You must actively sign up during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period. Miss it without qualifying employer coverage and you face a permanent 10% Part B penalty for every 12 months you delayed — added to the $202.90/month premium for life. A 3-year delay means paying 30% more forever.

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