North Carolina
Medicare help in North Carolina
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the North Carolina rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
SHIIP
Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is North Carolina's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained counselors answer Medicare questions, compare plans with you and help you apply for savings programs, at no cost. They don't sell insurance.
Help paying for Medicare in North Carolina
If your income and savings are limited, these programs can lower your premiums and drug costs. Many people who qualify never apply.
Medicare Savings Programs
NC Medicaid runs North Carolina's Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium, and the fullest one (QMB) also pays Part A premiums, deductibles and copays. You don't need to qualify for full Medicaid.
The 2026 federal minimum limits: income up to $1,350 a month single or $1,824 married for full help (QMB), or up to $1,816 single or $2,455 married for help with the Part B premium, and savings up to $9,950 single or $14,910 married. Your home and one car don't count. States can be more generous.
North Carolina uses the federal income limits. North Carolina calls these programs Medicare-Aid (MQB-Q, MQB-B and MQB-E).
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to $23,940 a year single or $32,460 married, and resources up to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Apply with Social Security.
North Carolina drug assistance program
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in North Carolina. Start with Extra Help; North Carolina's free SHIP counselors can help you apply.
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, North Carolina's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with NC Medicaid before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Insurance licenses insurance agents in North Carolina. Before you share personal information, look the agent up by name or National Producer Number (NPN) and make sure their license is active and includes health insurance.
Medigap rules in North Carolina
Switching plans later
North Carolina has no yearly switching window. After your first 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers can ask health questions before selling you a different policy, unless you have a federal guaranteed issue right. How switching works.
If you're under 65
Insurers in North Carolina must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare. Plans and prices can be limited. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the North Carolina Department of Insurance before changing coverage.
Dates that apply everywhere
- October 15 to December 7: Open Enrollment, when you can change Medicare Advantage and drug plans. All enrollment periods
- January 1 to March 31: people in Medicare Advantage can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Around your 65th birthday: your 7-month window to sign up. Turning 65
Common questions in North Carolina
Where can I get free Medicare help in North Carolina?
Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is North Carolina's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-855-408-1212.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Department of Insurance licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-855-408-1212.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in North Carolina?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through NC Medicaid (1-888-245-0179). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. North Carolina uses the federal income limits. North Carolina's free SHIP counselors (1-855-408-1212) can help you apply.
Does North Carolina help pay for prescriptions?
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in North Carolina. Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income, and North Carolina's free SHIP counselors (1-855-408-1212) can check whether you qualify.
Does North Carolina have a Medigap birthday rule?
Not as of the NAIC's May 11, 2026 chart. Outside your first 6-month Medigap window and federal guaranteed issue rights, insurers in North Carolina can ask health questions before selling you a different policy.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in North Carolina?
Insurers in North Carolina must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare. Plans and prices can be limited.
State contacts checked against official North Carolina sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.