Quick answers
- Who do I call with a Medicare question in North Carolina?
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048). For enrollment, Part B premiums or IRMAA, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- Who handles NC Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs?
- NC Medicaid, part of NCDHHS. Apply through ePASS or your county Department of Social Services; the NC Medicaid Contact Center, 1-888-245-0179, helps you find your county office.
- Who reviews a hospital discharge appeal in North Carolina?
- Acentra Health, the Medicare quality improvement organization (BFCC-QIO) for North Carolina, at 1-888-317-0751 (TTY 711).
- Where do I report Medicare fraud in North Carolina?
- 1-800-MEDICARE, the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-447-8477, or the national Senior Medicare Patrol line, 1-877-808-2468. Medicaid provider fraud goes to the NC Department of Justice at (919) 881-2320.
- Who regulates Medigap and insurance agents in North Carolina?
- The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI). File a complaint with its online form, and check an agent's license with the lookup NCDOI links to.
Every number on this page belongs to a government agency or a program it runs, funds or contracts with, except the last section. This is a non-government website, so check an agency's own site for current hours. Medicare, Social Security and fraud lines are national; the rest serve North Carolina.
Medicare, Social Security and appeals
| Agency | Use it for | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (federal) | Coverage, claims, Medicare plans, enrollment periods, replacement cards, help in Spanish | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048; Medicare.gov (Spanish: es.medicare.gov) |
| Social Security (federal) | Signing up for Parts A and B, Part B premiums, IRMAA, Extra Help, address changes, representative payees | 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778; find a North Carolina office with the office locator |
| Acentra Health, BFCC-QIO for North Carolina (Medicare contractor) | Fast appeals when a hospital, skilled nursing, home health or hospice stay is ending; complaints about the quality of care | 1-888-317-0751, TTY 711; acentraqio.com |
Acentra Health serves North Carolina as part of its Region 4 (with other southeastern states). See Medicare appeals in North Carolina.
NC Medicaid and help paying Medicare costs
| Agency | Use it for | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| NC Medicaid Contact Center (NCDHHS, state) | Questions about NC Medicaid and NC Medicaid Direct, finding your county office | 1-888-245-0179, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; TTY 711 (RelayNC) |
| Your county Department of Social Services (DSS) | Applying for NC Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Programs (MQB-Q, MQB-B, MQB-E), renewals, eligibility notices, Adult Protective Services | Walk in, call or mail; find yours in the local DSS directory. Apply online through ePASS. |
| NCDHHS Customer Service Center (state) | Finding the right NCDHHS program or person | 1-800-662-7030 |
| NC Medicaid Hearing Office (state) | Appealing a notice of transfer or discharge from a nursing home or adult care home | 919-814-0090; hearing request forms |
See NC Medicaid and Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs in North Carolina and Extra Help.
Aging services and long-term care
| Agency | Use it for | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| NC Division of Aging (NCDHHS, state) | Statewide aging programs, caregiver support, CAP/DA information, the long-term care ombudsman program | 919-855-3400; ncdhhs.gov |
| Your area agency on aging (16 regions, housed in regional councils of government) | Local services for people 60 and older: in-home aide, meals, transportation, family caregiver support | Find your region and its number on the area agency on aging map (PDF); see how to find your area agency on aging |
| Regional long-term care ombudsman (16 offices, in the area agencies on aging) | Problems or complaints in a nursing home or adult care home, residents' rights | Ombudsman program and regional list |
| Division of Health Service Regulation, Complaint Intake (NCDHHS, state) | Complaints about care in a long-term care facility or other licensed provider | 1-800-624-3004 (within North Carolina) or 919-855-4500 |
See the CAP/DA waiver and helping a parent with Medicare.
Insurance companies and agents
| Agency | Use it for | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI, state) | Complaints about insurance companies and agents, including Medigap insurers | Assistance or file a complaint (online form, printable form and Spanish form); mail: NC Department of Insurance, 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1201 |
| Agent license lookup | Checking that an agent holds an active North Carolina license | NCDOI's "Look Up An Insurance Agent" link goes to the NAIC licensee lookup; disciplinary actions: NCDOI licensing actions search |
| NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division | Insurance fraud by an agent, company or anyone else (a crime) | 919-807-6840, or 888-680-7684 from within North Carolina; report online |
NCDOI regulates insurance in North Carolina; it can't change a Medicare coverage decision. See Medigap in North Carolina and how to file a complaint about an insurance agent.
Fraud and scams
| Contact | Use it for | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Medicare Patrol, national line (federally funded) | Help deciding whether a charge or call is fraud, and reporting it | 1-877-808-2468; smpresource.org |
| HHS Office of Inspector General (federal) | Any Medicare fraud | 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477); oig.hhs.gov |
| I-MEDIC (Medicare contractor) | Fraud involving a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan | 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379) |
| NC Department of Justice, Medicaid Investigations Division (state) | Fraud by Medicaid providers, and abuse of patients in Medicaid-funded facilities | (919) 881-2320; online reports |
| NCDHHS Medicaid fraud tip line (state) | Fraud, waste or abuse in NC Medicaid, including eligibility fraud | 1-877-362-8471, or your county DSS |
| NC Department of Justice, Consumer Protection (state) | Scam calls and other consumer fraud | 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226); in Spanish 919-716-0058 |
See Medicare fraud and scams in North Carolina.
State retirees, military and veterans
If you retired from North Carolina state or local government, the State Health Plan (shpnc.gov) decides how your retiree coverage works with Medicare. Check with the Plan before you join or drop any Medicare plan. See State Health Plan retirees and Medicare. For TRICARE For Life and VA care, see military, veterans and TRICARE in North Carolina.
Talk with a licensed insurance agent
This is not a government contact. Benefits Life, the publisher of this site, works with licensed insurance agents who can explain Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D plans from the companies they work with, at no cost to you. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or find an independent licensed insurance agent in North Carolina.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Talk to someone
- Social Security — How to reach Social Security
- Acentra Health BFCC-QIO — Service areas and helplines
- CMS — Beneficiary and Family Centered Care QIOs
- NC Medicaid — Contacts
- NC Medicaid — How to apply
- NC Medicaid — Appeals (Hearing Office)
- NCDHHS — Hotlines
- NCDHHS — Division of Aging
- NCDHHS — North Carolina Area Agencies on Aging map (July 2025, PDF)
- NCDHHS — Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- NC Department of Insurance — Assistance or file a complaint
- NC Department of Insurance — Report insurance fraud
- NC Department of Justice — Health fraud (Medicaid Investigations Division)
- SMP National Resource Center
- HHS Office of Inspector General — Report fraud
- Medicare.gov — Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse
Every question in this guide
- How can I help a parent with Medicare in North Carolina?
- How do I appeal a hospital discharge in North Carolina if I'm not ready to go home?
- How do I appeal a Medicare denial in North Carolina?
- How do I file a complaint about an insurance agent in North Carolina?
- How do I find a licensed Medicare agent in North Carolina?
- How do I find my area agency on aging in North Carolina?
- How do I report Medicare fraud in North Carolina?
- Medicare phone numbers in North Carolina
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Social Security office near me in North Carolina?
Use Social Security's online office locator: enter your ZIP code to get the address and hours of the office that serves you. Many tasks, such as signing up for Medicare or asking for Extra Help, can also be done online at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
How do I get a replacement Medicare card?
Log into your Medicare.gov account to print an official copy, or call 1-800-MEDICARE to have one mailed. Medicare won't call you out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number, so treat a caller offering a new card as a scam.
Can I get Medicare help in Spanish?
Yes. 1-800-MEDICARE has Spanish-speaking representatives, Medicare's website is at es.medicare.gov, and Social Security offers service in Spanish at 1-800-772-1213. NCDOI has a Spanish complaint form.
What is the NC Medicaid Contact Center number?
1-888-245-0179, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on state holidays. TTY users can call through RelayNC at 711.
Who can help me compare Medicare plans in North Carolina?
Medicare.gov's plan finder and 1-800-MEDICARE give information on all of your options. A licensed insurance agent who works with Benefits Life, the publisher of this site, can compare plans from the companies they work with.
Medicare in your North Carolina county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Wake · Mecklenburg · Guilford · Forsyth · Durham · Cumberland · Buncombe · Union · Johnston · Cabarrus · New Hanover · Gaston · Onslow · Iredell · Alamance · Pitt · Davidson · Brunswick · Catawba · Rowan · All 100 counties →
