State Health Insurance Assistance Program

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, is a national program that offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. Through grants to states, SHIPs provide free counseling and assistance via telephone and face-to-face interactive sessions, public education presentations and programs, and media activities.

Trained counselors offer information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries on a wide range of Medicare and Medicaid, and Medigap matters, including, Medicare+Choice health plan options, long-term care insurance, claims and billing problem resolution, information and referral on public benefit programs for those with limited income and assets, and other health insurance benefit information.

To locate a SHIP program in your area click here (hyperlink to http://www.medicare.gov/Contacts/Related/Ships.asp and you will be taken to the SHIP listing on Medicare.gov. In addition, you can be referred to your SHIP by contacting 1-800-Medicare and asking for health insurance counseling.