Free Medicare help from SHIP — what it is, who it serves, and how to find a counselor near you.
If you are trying to understand Medicare for the first time, comparing plans during open enrollment, dealing with a billing dispute, or trying to find out whether you qualify for programs that lower your costs, a SHIP counselor can help at no charge. This page covers the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, known as SHIP — a federally funded program that provides free, one-on-one Medicare counseling through trained volunteers in every state.
For related pages on specific programs SHIP counselors often help people apply for, see the links on the Medicare Part D plans guide and the financial assistance that may be provided by Extra Help for prescription drug costs.
- Be mindful of scams: The SHIP counseling program is always free - no matter your income, assets levels or insurance status. Any agency, or person, charging for it should be avoided as they will be scammers.
What SHIP Is
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program is a national program managed by the Administration for Community Living and funded through federal grants to every state. It operates through a network of more than 2,200 local sites and over 12,500 trained counselors — most of them volunteers — located in area agencies on aging, senior centers, libraries, hospitals, and other community organizations. SHIP has no affiliation with any insurance company and does not sell products or earn commissions. Every session is free and confidential.
One note on naming: while the federal program is officially called the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, some states use different names for their local version — including Senior Health Insurance Program, HICAP, SHINE, SHIBA, SHICK, and others. This kind of state-level renaming is common across many federal programs. Whatever it is called in your state, it is the same program and provides the same free services. The national number 1-877-839-2675 and the website https://www.shiphelp.org/ will connect you to your state's program regardless of what it is called locally.
Who SHIP Serves
SHIP counselors are available to any Medicare beneficiary, regardless of age or income. Again, it is free. That includes people turning 65 who are enrolling in Medicare for the first time, people under 65 who have Medicare due to a disability, current Medicare enrollees who want to review or switch their coverage, and the families and caregivers of Medicare beneficiaries who are helping someone else navigate their options.
You do not need to be in a specific income bracket, enrolled in a particular plan, or facing a crisis to use SHIP. People call with questions as straightforward as what the difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare is, and as complicated as disputing a denied claim or figuring out how multiple coverage sources interact.
How to Find Your Local SHIP
The most reliable way to find a counselor is through the official SHIP locator at https://www.shiphelp.org/. Enter your zip code and it will show you the contact information for your local program, including current phone numbers and hours. This is maintained by the program itself and reflects the most current information for your area.
You can also call the national SHIP line at 1-877-839-2675. Counseling is available by phone, and many local programs also offer in-person appointments and virtual sessions.
What SHIP Counselors Help With
SHIP counselors are trained to provide accurate, objective information across the full range of Medicare questions. They do not tell you what plan to pick — they explain your options clearly so you can make an informed decision yourself. Specific areas where SHIP helps include the following:
- Comparing Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap supplement policies, and Part D prescription drug plans during open enrollment or when you first become eligible.
- Counselors also help people understand what Original Medicare covers and does not cover.
- Apply for programs that reduce costs such as Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs.
- Identify potential billing errors or overcharges, understand how to appeal a denied claim,
- Recognize Medicare fraud and report it.
- Sort out how Medicare works alongside Medicaid, employer coverage, TRICARE, or VA benefits.
During Medicare's annual open enrollment period — October 15 through December 7 each year — SHIP counselors are especially active, helping beneficiaries compare their current plan against available options for the coming year.
Why It Matters for People on Limited Incomes
Medicare decisions made at enrollment — which plan you choose, whether you sign up on time, whether you take Part B — can affect your costs for the rest of your life. Missing the window to sign up for a Medigap supplement plan, for example, can mean paying more or being turned down later when your health has changed. Picking a Part D plan that does not cover your specific medications, or not knowing you qualify for Extra Help, can add thousands of dollars in annual costs.
SHIP counselors help people avoid those mistakes. The service is especially valuable for people who are newly eligible for Medicare, people managing Medicare on a fixed income, and people dealing with the transition from employer coverage or Medicaid to Medicare. There is no reason not to call before making any Medicare enrollment decision.
This page provides general information about the SHIP program. Contact information, program names, and services vary by state. Use the locator at shiphelp.org or call 1-877-839-2675 for current information in your area.
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