Working with a broker

What does it cost to work with you?
Nothing. Insurance rates are filed with the state, so you pay the same premium whether you enroll through me or go direct to the carrier. Brokers can’t mark rates up or discount them. I’m paid by the insurance company after you enroll.

Do you meet clients in person?
No — I work by phone, text, and email. That keeps me available when you actually need an answer instead of driving between appointments. Most of my clients tell me they prefer it.

Will I get passed around to different agents?
No. You get me, every time. There’s no call center and no rotating staff.

Are you licensed in my state?
Yes, if you’re in North Carolina or South Carolina. I’m also licensed in Arizona. My National Producer Number is 7558435 and you can verify it yourself at nipr.com.

Medicare questions

Why don’t you sell Medicare Advantage?
Because I’ve watched too many people get pulled in by a low premium and then hit network restrictions and prior authorization denials right when they needed care. Once you’re in an Advantage plan and your health changes, getting back to Original Medicare with a supplement can be difficult or impossible. I stick to Medigap, where you keep your own doctors.

What’s the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Both let you see any doctor who accepts Medicare. Plan G covers essentially everything after your annual Part B deductible — no copays, no surprise bills. Plan N has a lower premium but you’ll pay copays at the doctor and ER, and it doesn’t cover Part B excess charges. If you see doctors often, Plan G usually wins on predictability. If you’re healthy, Plan N can save money.

When can I enroll in a Medicare Supplement?
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time six-month window that starts the month you’re both 65 and enrolled in Part B. During that window no company can turn you down or charge you more for health reasons. It doesn’t repeat.

What if I missed that window?
You can still apply any time — the company just gets to review your health history and decide. Plenty of people still qualify at good rates. Certain situations also create guaranteed-issue rights that reopen a protected window, like losing employer coverage. Worth a call before you assume you’re stuck.

North Carolina: Medigap under 65

Can I get a Medigap plan in NC if I’m under 65 on disability?
Yes. North Carolina requires insurers to offer certain Medigap plans to people who qualified for Medicare under 65 due to disability. And when you turn 65, you get a brand-new full six-month Open Enrollment Period with no health screening — a genuine second chance that not every state provides.

South Carolina: Medigap under 65

What about South Carolina?
South Carolina’s rules for under-65 Medigap access differ from North Carolina’s, and availability depends on the specific carrier. Some companies voluntarily offer plans to under-65 beneficiaries; others don’t. If you’re under 65 and on Medicare in SC, call me and I’ll tell you exactly what’s available to you right now rather than guessing from a chart.

Does my Medigap plan work if I move between states?
Yes. Medigap plans follow you anywhere in the country as long as you stay on Original Medicare. If you split time between the Carolinas and somewhere else, your coverage travels with you — that’s one of the main advantages over an Advantage plan.

Marketplace and under-65 coverage

When is Open Enrollment for ACA plans?
Typically November 1 through mid-January. Outside that window you need a qualifying life event — losing coverage, moving, marriage, divorce, or a new baby — to open a Special Enrollment Period. That clock is usually 60 days, so don’t wait to ask.

Do I make too much money for a subsidy?
Maybe not. A lot of people assume they don’t qualify and never check. Subsidy eligibility depends on household income and size, and the thresholds are higher than most people expect. It takes me a few minutes to run your actual numbers.

What’s the difference between a Marketplace plan and a short-term plan?
Marketplace plans are guaranteed-issue and cover pre-existing conditions, maternity, mental health, and prescriptions. Short-term and private plans are usually medically underwritten — cheaper and often with broader networks, but they can decline you or exclude pre-existing conditions. Good fit if you’re healthy and need temporary coverage; poor fit if you’re managing an ongoing condition.

Other coverage

Does Medicare cover dental and vision?
Original Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental or vision. That’s why standalone dental plans and vision coverage like VSP exist. I can enroll you in VSP directly — most people find their current eye doctor is already in the network.

Do you handle Medicaid?
I don’t enroll people in Medicaid, but if you apply and get denied, call me. There are often other options worth reviewing, and I’d rather help you find them than leave you without coverage.

Do you sell Part D drug plans?
No. I also don’t handle military or TRICARE coverage. If you need those, I’ll point you toward someone who does.