Is there really free help with Medicare, or is there a catch?

The programs listed here are real and free. NC SHIIP is run by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, the Area Agency on Aging is a regional government program, and 1-800-MEDICARE is the federal helpline. None of them charge you, and none of them sell insurance plans.

How is this different from calling an insurance agent?

Counselors at SHIIP and the Area Agency on Aging do not earn a commission from any plan you pick. They explain your options without a sales angle. An agent (like me) helps you compare specific plans and can enroll you; a counselor helps you understand the system first. Some people use both.

Can I get help even if I am not on Medicare yet?

Yes. SHIIP counselors regularly help people who are turning 65 and approaching their enrollment window. If you are within a few months of 65, call them or schedule a free consultation to walk through your timeline.

Do these programs help with scams and fraud?

Yes. The Senior Medicare Patrol exists for exactly that: teaching people to spot billing errors and suspected fraud, and helping document it. NC SHIIP also runs fraud-awareness outreach. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and asks for personal or bank information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE to check.

I want a local agent too. Is that an option?

Of course. I offer free, no-obligation Medicare consultations in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and nearby communities. You can call or text me at (919) 408-6671 or book a time online.

Greensboro, Winston-Salem & High Point · No cost, no catch

Free Medicare help in the Triad

You do not have to figure Medicare out alone, and you do not have to pay for help. These are real, verified programs that answer Medicare questions for free in this area. I put this list together because I send people to these resources all the time. Every entry below was verified before I published it.

Call Christian's direct line: (919) 408-6671 Request a free consultation with me

Free consultation. No obligation to enroll.

Christian Brinkley, licensed insurance agent in Greensboro, North Carolina — Christian BrinkleyNC Life & Health · Greensboro, NC

The directory

Start with whichever one fits your situation. If you are not sure where to begin, NC SHIIP is usually the best first call.

NC SHIIP (Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program)

Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers and staff. They explain Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D, screen for Extra Help with drug costs, and run fraud-awareness outreach through the NC Senior Medicare Patrol.

Covers:: All 100 North Carolina counties, including Guilford, Forsyth, Davidson, Randolph, Alamance, Rockingham, and Stokes.
Contact:: Call 855-408-1212, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.ncshiip.com

SHIIP counselors do not sell insurance. They are a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

Piedmont Triad Regional Council: Area Agency on Aging

The regional Area Agency on Aging for the Piedmont Triad. They connect adults 60 and older (and their caregivers) with local services: home and community-based care, caregiver support, health promotion programs, and the regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Covers:: Alamance, Caswell, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties.
Contact:: Call 336-904-0300. ptrc.org

The council office is in Kernersville. Services are delivered through county partners across the region.

1-800-MEDICARE

The official Medicare helpline. They can answer questions about enrollment, coverage, and your Medicare statements, and help if your information has been used without your permission.

Covers:: Nationwide. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except some federal holidays).
Contact:: Call 1-800-633-4227. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. www.medicare.gov

This is the number Medicare itself publishes. Use it to check on anything a caller claims about your coverage.

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

Volunteers who teach people how to spot Medicare billing errors and fraud, and help document suspected fraud. In North Carolina, the SMP works alongside NC SHIIP.

Covers:: Statewide, through the NC Senior Medicare Patrol program.
Contact:: Call 1-877-808-2468. smpresource.org

If you see charges on your Medicare statement for services you did not get, the SMP can help you document it.

What these programs can and cannot do

SHIIP counselors and Area Agency on Aging staff can explain Medicare, compare your options, and help you spot fraud. What they cannot do is enroll you in a plan. For that, you work directly with Medicare or with a licensed agent.

A lot of people do both: get the unbiased overview from a counselor, then sit down with an agent to compare specific plans and enroll. If you want that second part, book a free consultation. It costs nothing and there is no obligation.

Personal Medicare help near you

Questions I get about free help

Is there really free help with Medicare, or is there a catch?: The programs listed here are real and free. NC SHIIP is run by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, the Area Agency on Aging is a regional government program, and 1-800-MEDICARE is the federal helpline. None of them charge you, and none of them sell insurance plans.
How is this different from calling an insurance agent?: Counselors at SHIIP and the Area Agency on Aging do not earn a commission from any plan you pick. They explain your options without a sales angle. An agent (like me) helps you compare specific plans and can enroll you; a counselor helps you understand the system first. Some people use both.
Can I get help even if I am not on Medicare yet?: Yes. SHIIP counselors regularly help people who are turning 65 and approaching their enrollment window. If you are within a few months of 65, call them or schedule a free consultation to walk through your timeline.
Do these programs help with scams and fraud?: Yes. The Senior Medicare Patrol exists for exactly that: teaching people to spot billing errors and suspected fraud, and helping document it. NC SHIIP also runs fraud-awareness outreach. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and asks for personal or bank information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE to check.
I want a local agent too. Is that an option?: Of course. I offer free, no-obligation Medicare consultations in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and nearby communities. You can call or text me at (919) 408-6671 or book a time online.

Christian BrinkleyNC Life & Health · Greensboro, NC

Want to talk it through with a local agent?

Free consultation, no obligation. I can meet at your home, talk by phone, or meet somewhere convenient. Bring your questions and I will take them one at a time.

Call Christian's direct line: (919) 408-6671 Request a free consultation

Free consultation in person or by phone. It’s me who answers. Calls and appointments 9am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday, Eastern time.

If you are worried about a suspicious call or letter, read the Medicare scam alert. For what is changing this year, see Medicare changes for 2027.