Whether you’ve just become eligible for Medicare or you’re looking to switch plans, making sense of your coverage options can feel like an uphill battle. The stakes are high: Enrolling in the wrong Medicare plan can be costly. It can also make it harder to get the services you need to age well. 

The bright side? You don’t have to walk this path alone. Your state offers a free program designed to help you make informed Medicare decisions: the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP.

What is SHIP, or the State Health Insurance Assistance Program?

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers unbiased, federally funded counseling for Medicare-eligible older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. This counseling is provided by a specially trained staff member or volunteer. 

What can a SHIP counselor help me with?

A SHIP counselor can help you:

• Understand your Medicare benefits, coverage options, and costs.
• Compare and choose Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D plans.
• Spot and report potential Medicare fraud or scams.

Your SHIP counselor can also help you apply for benefits that pay for Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, such as the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) or Medicare Part D Extra Help.

"You shouldn't have to decide between food or medication that you have to have to be healthy and live," said Mary Crandall, who was helped by a SHIP counselor. "The Medicare counselors help... get you the cheapest program, the program that works best for you."

The local, unbiased, and trusted support can literally be a lifesaver, said Francine Dent, who was overwhelmed by trying to navigate Medicare once she retired from a school system job.

"I really do apprececiate the fact that they take us seriously," Dent said. "If this service were not available, I think that I would have been in worse shape than I am now." 

Although he had worked for two Fortune 500 companies, Gary Bartle found his Medicare optoins overwhelming. That's why he was grateful to be able to work with a knowledgeable SHIP counselor. "It's much better to sit down in front of somebody, and they can explain it to you," he remarked.

Said SHIP volunteer Charles Reese, “When I talk to people and I can save them a $100 here or $100 there, I can feel them smiling; I can feel them feeling better about life. I think that’s very important.”

What is the SHIP program in my state called?

Depending on where you live, the SHIP program might also be known as:

• APPRISE
• CHOICES
• CLAIM
• DMAB
• HICAP
• HICP
• HIICAP
• I-CARE
• MAP
• MMAP, Inc.
• OSHIIP
• SHIBA

The main SHIP website can direct you to the program serving Medicare beneficiaries in your state, no matter what it's called.

How can I find my local SHIP?

To get help or learn more, visit the SHIP website, email info@shiphelp.org, or call the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center toll-free at 1-877-839-2675.