Free Medicare Help: How a SHIP Counselor Can Walk You Through Your Options
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. That is a lot of plans, premiums and paperwork to sort through. The good news is that you do not have to do it alone. Free, one-on-one help is available in every state.
What a SHIP Is
SHIP stands for State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It is a state-based program that gives local counseling to people with Medicare and their families. SHIPs operate in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The counseling is free. According to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), most of the counselors are volunteers who have been trained to answer Medicare questions. SHIP is a counseling service. It is not a company that sells insurance.
What a Counselor Can Help With
- Understanding Medicare Parts A, B, C and D, and how they fit together.
- Comparing Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies and prescription drug plans.
- Looking at your costs, your coverage, your doctors and your medicines during Open Enrollment.
- Sorting out billing or claims problems.
- Pointing you to programs that help people with limited income or savings, such as Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs.
Counselors can also help you recognize Medicare fraud and abuse. Help may be offered by phone, in person or online, depending on where you live.
How to Find Your SHIP
- Go to shiphelp.org and use the “Find Your SHIP” button, or call 877-839-2675.
- Choose your state. You will see the contact details for the program near you.
- Ask when the next available appointment is. Busy weeks fall in late fall, so it helps to call early.
- Tell the counselor what you want to review: your drug list, your doctors, or both.
How to Get the Most From Your Visit
- Bring your red, white and blue Medicare card, or your plan card.
- Bring a list of every medicine you take, with the strengths and the pharmacy you use.
- Write down the names of your doctors and any hospitals you prefer.
- Bring last year’s plan mailing, often called the Annual Notice of Change, if you have one.
- Write down your questions ahead of time, and take notes.
Stay Safe While You Ask for Help
Be careful about who you share personal details with. A real SHIP counselor will not ask you to pay a fee, send gift cards or give out your bank login. Unwanted calls offering “free” Medicare services are a common warning sign. For more, see our guide to reviewing your coverage step by step.
This article is general information. Your own situation may differ, so talk with a SHIP counselor or check medicare.gov.
More on Seniors Tips
- Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reviewing Your Coverage
- Extra Help With Medicare Drug Costs: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
- Medicare Savings Programs: State Help Paying Your Medicare Premiums
