Medicare Part D
Free, Unbiased Medicare Help in Winston-Salem for 2026
If you're turning 65, already on Medicare, or helping a parent sort through mail, the volume of options in Winston-Salem can feel overwhelming. The good news: you don't have to figure it out alone, and you don't have to pay for guidance.
Compare Medicare options near you
Answer 3 quick questions to see Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D listings from licensed insurance partners.
What’s your ZIP code?
Plan availability is set by your county, so we start here.
How old are you?
This helps match you with options you’re eligible for.
Do you have Medicare Parts A & B?
Most Medicare Advantage and Medigap options require both.
These listings are provided by licensed insurance partners.
Will your prescriptions still be covered in 2027?
Part D plans rewrite their drug lists every year — tiers move, pharmacies change, drugs drop off. One call checks your exact medications against the 2027 plans in your area.
- Every prescription checked, name by name
- Your pharmacy checked for preferred pricing
Available now — current wait: 0 min
A real person answers. No phone menu, ever.
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Continue →Advertising disclosure: MyMedicarePlans.org may be compensated when you contact a partner or licensed agent. Listings are not ranked or endorsed by us, and we do not recommend specific plans. You can also contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Click to call 855-729-3240
Key takeaways
- In Forsyth County (Winston-Salem), residents could choose from 99 Medicare Advantage plans offered by 13 carriers for 2026; the 2027 lineup is in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.
- SHIIP, North Carolina's free counseling program, uses trained volunteers who don't sell insurance or earn commissions and can help review medications and Medicare options one-on-one.
- During the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7), SHIIP schedules extra volunteers for in-person appointments.
- CMS requires licensed agents to record enrollment calls and provide a written Scope of Appointment before discussing specific plans, which is meant to protect consumers.
Winston-Salem, N.C. — Getting Medicare answers you can trust
Winston-Salem is in Forsyth County, where 99 Medicare Advantage plans were available for 2026, offered by 13 carriers. The 2027 lineup is detailed in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder — and that's exactly why unbiased help matters.
Start with SHIIP — North Carolina's free counseling program
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). In North Carolina, it's called SHIIP — the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program — run by the N.C. Department of Insurance.
SHIIP counselors are trained volunteers. They don't sell insurance, don't earn commissions, and don't steer you toward any specific company. They'll sit with you, look at your medications, and walk through your Medicare options one-on-one.
- Statewide SHIIP line: 1-855-408-1212
- Website: ncdoi.gov/consumers/medicare-and-seniors-health-insurance-information-program-shiip
- Local access in Winston-Salem: SHIIP partners with senior centers and the Shepherd's Center of Greater Winston-Salem. Call the state line to be connected with a local counselor.
If you like a face-to-face conversation, ask about in-person appointments during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7), when SHIIP schedules extra volunteers.
Other trusted local resources
Beyond SHIIP, a few Winston-Salem–area organizations regularly help older adults understand Medicare basics and connect them with assistance programs:
- Senior Services, Inc. of Forsyth County — a longtime nonprofit serving adults 60+ in the Winston-Salem area.
- Forsyth County Department of Social Services — can help you apply for Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help (the low-income subsidy for Part D).
- Shepherd's Center of Greater Winston-Salem — offers educational programs for older adults.
- Social Security Administration — for enrollment in Parts A and B, and for questions about IRMAA (higher-income surcharges, which in 2026 begin above $109,000 for a single filer).
When a licensed agent or broker makes sense
Licensed agents can be genuinely helpful — especially independent brokers who represent several carriers. They can quote plans, compare drug lists, and handle enrollment paperwork. Agents are paid commissions by insurance companies, so it's fair to ask up front:
- Which carriers are you appointed with?
- Do you represent all the plans available in Forsyth County, or a subset?
- Will you help me during the year if I have a problem, not just at enrollment?
CMS rules require agents to record enrollment calls and give you a written Scope of Appointment before discussing specific plans. That's a consumer protection — not a red flag.
What to bring to any Medicare appointment
Whether you meet with a SHIIP counselor or an agent, you'll get more out of the meeting if you bring:
1. Your red, white, and blue Medicare card (or Medicare number). 2. A full list of your prescriptions, including doses. 3. A list of your doctors and preferred hospitals. 4. Your ZIP code (plan availability is county-specific). 5. Recent tax info if you think IRMAA may apply.
A few facts worth knowing before you decide
These are program-wide rules — they apply no matter which plan you consider:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once your drug spending hits that ceiling, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- Part D maximum deductible: up to $615 in 2026 and up to $700 in 2027. Plans can charge less, but not more.
- The old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone as of 2025. Part D now has three phases.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs into monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
- Annual Enrollment: Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. Changes take effect Jan. 1.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: Jan. 1 – March 31, for people already in an MA plan who want to switch once.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Forsyth County
(MA penetration in Forsyth County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does SHIIP really not sell anything?
Are stand-alone Part D drug plans available in Forsyth County?
What are Star Ratings, and should I choose by them?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.