What Is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program?
Key takeaways:
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a federally funded program that helps Medicare-eligible people and their caregivers obtain health coverage counseling for free.
SHIP counselors can answer your Medicare questions, explain your plan options, and help you reduce Medicare costs.
SHIP is available to anyone eligible for Medicare, and you can get help in person or over the phone.
Table of contents
Navigating Medicare can be challenging, and your enrollment decisions can significantly affect how much you spend on healthcare. Without guidance, it can be an overwhelming experience.
Luckily, a program you may never have heard of can help — and it’s free. It’s called the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and it provides personalized guidance to make Medicare less puzzling.
What is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national program that assists people with Medicare. SHIP has counselors who can meet with you, your family members, or caregivers one on one to help you understand your Medicare coverage options and benefits. The program is free and offered in every state, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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SHIP is managed by the Administration for Community Living, a federal agency that works with state and local organizations. While the program goes by the name SHIP nationally, local SHIP offices can have different names like:
Senior Health Insurance Information Program, in states such as Arkansas (SHIIP), Ohio (OSHIIP), and Utah (SHIP)
California’s Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) and the similarly named Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program (also HICAP) in Texas
District of Columbia’s Health Insurance Counseling Project (HICP)
New York’s Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Programs (HIICAP)
Oregon’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (also SHIBA)
Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI)
Washington’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
How do you qualify to use SHIP services?
You qualify for SHIP if you're eligible for Medicare. You can also contact SHIP counselors if you will be eligible for Medicare soon. Family members and caregivers for people with Medicare can also access SHIP.
John Williams, Medicare specialist with SHIP in Indiana, suggests contacting a SHIP counselor 3 months before your Medicare starts. "Then, certainly at any point after that, if you're having trouble with Medicare or need some assistance and don’t know where to turn ... contact SHIP for advice," he says.
How can SHIP help me make Medicare choices?
Your health needs are different from your neighbor's. It could be that you're taking certain prescription medications. Or, your care is becoming unaffordable. By talking with a trained volunteer SHIP counselor, you can get individualized advice.
That includes expert help with picking a prescription drug (Part D) or Advantage (Part C) plan.
"We're not insurance agents," Williams says. “We don’t sell insurance. We advise people on options that are available to them.”
SHIP staff and volunteers aren't permitted to hold insurance licenses. That helps ensure beneficiaries get unbiased advice.
“At SHIP, we don’t steer them into any products,” says Kathy Madden, a training manager at Colorado’s SHIP program. She works with volunteer SHIP counselors and advises Medicare beneficiaries. “All we do is lay out the information,” Madden says, “so they can make their most informed choices.”
What kind of training do SHIP counselors have?
The training is intensive, says Brandon Davis, who directs Colorado’s SHIP. The required 8 to 10 hours of training and testing ensures counselors are knowledgeable about Medicare and can help answer your questions.
All counselors and volunteers complete Medicare training from the Administration for Community Living. This covers:
Medicare terms and options
Medicare Parts A, B, C, D and Medigap, or supplemental insurance
Helping with Medicare costs, including prescription drugs
How do I sign up for SHIP?
You can find a program in your area by going to shiphelp.org. Click on “Find Local Medicare Help” or “SHIP Locator,” then find the link to your state or U.S. territory. You can also call the national SHIP program at 1-877-839-2675.
When you schedule an appointment with your local SHIP counseling office, ask what information to have ready for your specific situation. General items that are helpful to have include:
Medicare card, if available
Prescription medication list
Healthcare provider and pharmacy information
Health conditions and upcoming procedures
Income and asset details
Other insurance information and card
Questions you have about Medicare
Questions to ask your SHIP counselor
To make the most of conversations with SHIP counselors, Madden suggests writing down questions in advance. Common questions include:
Should I get drug coverage even if I'm not taking any prescription medications?
What will my out-of-pocket costs be?
I’m still working. Do I need to sign up for Medicare?
When can I enroll or switch my plan?
Here are some additional questions to ask your SHIP counselor:
Do I qualify for any programs to help pay Medicare costs?
What does Medicare cover and not cover?
Do I need supplemental insurance?
I received a denial letter from Medicare. What are my appeal rights?
I’m covered under my spouse’s employer. How does coordination work?
How can I spot and report suspected Medicare fraud?
Should I consider enrolling in Medicare Advantage?
The bottom line
Medicare can be complicated, and everyone has different needs. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, gives free, personalized help to people on Medicare and their caregivers across all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Since Medicare can be complicated, and everyone has different needs, Medicare beneficiaries have access to counselors who can provide the help they need.
Why trust our experts?
References
Administration for Community Living. (2023). State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
State Health Insurance Assistance Program. (n.d.). Homepage.
