Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP, SHIIP)

California SHIP
California: 1-800-434-0222
California Department of Aging

languages: English
from the web site: "...Click on the calendar to search for various free educational workshops and events throughout California conducted by your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). Learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap), and Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance..."
Colorado SHIP
Colorado: 1-888-696-7213
Senior Health/Medicare

languages: English
from the web site: "The Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program, within the Colorado Division of Insurance, helps people enrolled in Medicare with questions about health insurance. Topics addressed by the program include Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap), Medicare HMOs, Medicaid assistance for people on Medicare, and long-term care insurance..."
Connecticut SHIP
Connecticut: 1-800-994-9422
The CHOICES Program

languages: English
from the web site: "Connecticut’s program for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening... • Provides information to persons age 60 and older and persons with disabilities • Is a cooperative program of the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, the Area Agencies on Aging, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy • Is comprised of both Staff and Volunteers • Is also known as the CT SHIP or State Health Insurance Assistance Program..."
Delaware SHIP
Delaware: 1-800-336-9500
ELDERinfo

languages: English
from the web site: "...ELDERinfo provides counseling and assistance on questions and problems related to Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long-term care insurance and other types of health insurance. There is no charge for the service... ELDERinfo is Delaware's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and is funded in part by a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services."
Florida SHIP
Florida: 1-800-963-5337
Florida SHINE - Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders

languages: English
from the web site: "Welcome to the state health insurance assistance program for elder Floridians. SHINE provides educational materials and free unbiased insurance counseling to Florida elders, caregivers and family members. Our goal is to help elders understand and receive the health insurance coverage they need through Medicare, Medicaid,..."
Georgia SHIP
Georgia: 1-800-669-8387
GeorgiaCares

languages: English
from the web site: "Our dynamic network is Georgia's source for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), the Georgia Senior Medicare Patrol, help with prescription costs, and lifelong planning resources. ..."
Guam SHIP
Guam:
Division of Senior Citizens

languages: English
from the web site: "The Division of Senior Citizens (DSC) is the principal advocate for senior citizens throughout the island. Activities are planned, developed, and related to the purposes of the Older Americans Act. The Division is mandated by federal and Guam laws to ensure programs funded under Title III are coordinated effectively..."
Hawaii SHIP
Hawaii: 1-888-875-9229
WELCOME TO Sage PLUS HAWAII'S STATE HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING PROGRAM

languages: English
from the web site: "Sage PLUS provides statewide health insurance information counseling and referrals to people 60 years or older, their families and caregivers. Trained volunteer counselors provide consultations and presentations at no charge to the public. ..."
Idaho SHIP
Idaho: 1-800-247-4422
Idaho Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)

languages: English
from the web site: "Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is part of a network of state health insurance assistance programs across the United States. In Idaho, SHIBA is funded by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), the federal agency which administers the Medicare program, and the Idaho Department of Insurance..."
Illinois SHIP
Illinois: 1-800-548-9034
Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

languages: English
from the web site: "The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is a FREE statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. SHIP is sponsored by the Illinois Division of Insurance..."
Indiana SHIP
Indiana: 1-800-452-4800
Indiana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

languages: English
from the web site: "The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is part of a federal network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs located in every state. SHIP is a non-profit organization designed to provide an unbiased place for seniors and pre-retirees to find answers to their health insurance questions. All of our services are free..."
Iowa SHIP
Iowa: 1-800-351-4664
Welcome to SHIIP!

languages: English
from the web site: "SHIIP - Senior Health Insurance Information Program - can help you find answers to the important questions you have on Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, long term care insurance, and other health insurance issues. Created in 1990 by the State of Iowa Insurance Division, SHIIP has helped thousands of people on Medicare sort through confusing health insurance information..."
Kansas SHIP
Kansas: 1-800-860-5260
Senior Health Insurance Counseling For Kansas (SHICK)

languages: English
from the web site: "Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) is a free program offering older Kansans an opportunity to talk with trained, community volunteers and get answers to questions about Medicare and other insurance issues. SHICK provides you with many resources that will help you with your struggle through the Medicare maze..."
Kentucky SHIP
Kentucky: 1-877-293-7447
Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

languages: English
from the web site: "The Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides information, counseling and assistance to seniors and disabled individuals, their family members and caregivers. This service is provided at no charge by local, well-trained counselors..."
Louisiana SHIP
Louisiana: 1-800-259-5301
Louisiana Senior Health Insurance Information Program

languages: English
from the web site: "SHIIP is a program funded by a grant from the Health Care Financing Administration, implemented April 1993 by Insurance Commissioner James H. "Jim" Brown to provide counseling and assistance to seniors who need health insurance information..."
Maine SHIP
Maine: 1-877-353-3771
About Maine SHIP

languages: English
from the web site: "If you have Medicare insurance, or expect to have it soon, you may have questions or need help to understand your Medicare benefits. Trained health insurance counselors are available throughout Maine to provide you information about Medicare and other health insurance issues. You can also learn about programs in Maine that help lower the cost of prescription drugs and other out-of-pocket medical expenses..."
Maryland SHIP
Maryland: 1-800-243-3425
Maryland Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program

languages: English
from the web site: "The Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) meets one of the most universal needs of Medicare beneficiaries, including those under 65 years of age--understanding their health insurance benefits, bills and rights. The Maryland SHIP program provides trained staff and volunteer counselors in all 24 counties. Counselors provide in-person and telephone assistance in the following general areas..."
Massachusetts SHIP
Massachusetts: 1-800-243-4636
Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE)

languages: English
from the web site: "The SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) Program provides health insurance counseling services to elderly and disabled adults. SHINE counselors are trained to handle complex questions about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations, public benefits with health care components, Medicaid, free hospital care, prescription drug assistance programs, drug discount cards, and long-term health insurance..."
Michigan SHIP
Michigan: 1-800-803-7174
MMAP (Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program)

languages: English
from the web site: "Since 1984, MMAP (Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program) has provided free education and personalized assistance to people with Medicare and Medicaid, their families and caregivers..."
Minnesota SHIP
Minnesota: 1-800-333-2433
Minnesota Board on Aging’s Senior LinkAge Line

languages: English
from the web site: "The Minnesota Board on Aging’s Senior LinkAge Line®, which is the federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Minnesota, received a Special Recognition Award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Regional Office on Aug. 31, 2006. The Senior LinkAge Line® is the statewide information and assistance service of the Minnesota Board on Aging provided by six Minnesota Area Agencies on Aging..."
Mississippi SHIP
Mississippi: 1-800-948-3090
Mississippi Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (MICAP)

languages: English
from the web site: "The Mississippi Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (MICAP), also known as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), is a counseling program designed to answer the elderly's questions about health insurance. Whether it is Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance or other coverage, volunteers are trained to answer questions, compare policies, organize paperwork, and help with claims and filing appeals..."
Missouri SHIP
Missouri: 1-800-390-3330
CLAIM - Free Missouri State Health Insurance Program

languages: English
from the web site: "CLAIM is the Missouri state health insurance assistance program that meets the needs of Missouri's Medicare population..."
Montana SHIP
Montana : 1-800-551-3191
Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program

languages: English
from the web site: "When you contact the SHIP office, we will link you with a local SHIP counselor, who can meet with you and help you with: Medicare Eligibility, Benefits and claim filing ; Medicaid Eligibility, Benefits and claim filing ; Medicare Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage); Long Term Care Insurance information; Medicare Secondary Payor; Other types of health insurance benefits; Medigap insurance, Medicare; Medicare Advantage Plan options and enrollment; Medicare Cost Sharing Programs and other Dual Eligible enrollment; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, Waste and Abuse; ..."
Nebraska SHIP
Nebraska : 1-800-234-7119
Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program

languages: English
from the web site: "Since Medicare, Medicaid and other types of health insurance can be confusing; the State of Nebraska has developed a program to educate older Nebraskans and people with disabilities about their health insurance. This program is known as the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP..."
Nevada SHIP
Nevada : 1-800-307-4444
Nevada Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program

languages: English
from the web site: "The Nevada Medicare SHIP Program provides services in the following areas: Information and eligibility on Medicare entitlements (including the new prescription drug benefit - Part D), benefits, limitations, Medicaid (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) & Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)), Fee-for-Service Plans, and Coordinated Care Plans - Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Assistance with claims, requests for reconsiderations, and appeal processes for Medicare and Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)... ..."
New Hampshire SHIP
New Hampshire : 1-866-634-9412
Medicare Learning Centers

languages: English
from the web site: "...Medicare Learning Centers provide... A connection for free and confidential health insurance counseling with a trained Medicare volunteer. A connection to assistance for Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit enrollment assistance and information. A computer with Internet access to Medicare and other exciting web sites pertaining to senior-related and caregiver issues. A TV, VCR, and cassette tape player for Medicare videos and other recordings. A library of Medicare publications and other reading materials. Access to public education programs on Medicare-related topics. Opportunities to become a Medicare volunteer with ServiceLink or other programs in your community..."
New Jersey SHIP
New Jersey : 1-800-792-8820
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, NJDHSS

languages: English
from the web site: "...(SHIP) provides free help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance. SHIP is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services ..."
New Mexico SHIP
New Mexico : 1-800-432-2080
Benefits Counseling Bureau

languages: English
from the web site: "The Benefits Counseling Bureau is the federally designated State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). Through a dedicated and diverse network of trained volunteer counselors and a small number of expert staff members, the Benefits Counseling Bureau provides information about, and assistance in accessing, the full range of benefits for which seniors and adults with disabilities may be eligible..."
New York SHIP
New York : 1-800-701-0501
New York State Office for the Aging Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP)

languages: English
from the web site: "...It's time to think about cost, coverage, and customer serivce needed to get the most out of Medciare. For assistance, call 1-800-701-0501, enter your zip code and be referred your local Office to speak with a Health Insurance Counselor..."
North Carolina SHIP
North Carolina: 1-800-443-9354
North Carolina SHIIP

languages: English
from the web site: "The Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) answers questions and counsels Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug plans, long-term care insurance and other health insurance concerns. ..."
North Dakota SHIP
North Dakota: 1-888-575-6611
SHIC (State Health Insurance Counseling Program)

languages: English
from the web site: "...SHIC counselors help Medicare beneficiaries, their families or other representatives: by helping them understand Medicare bills and statements; to compare and understand Medicare supplement and long term care insurance; to compare and understand the new Medicare Part D full prescription drug benefit; to evaluate insurance coverage or assist with claims or appeals. ..."
Ohio SHIP
Ohio: 1-800-686-1578
Services for People on Medicare(OSHIIP)

languages: English
from the web site: "Find an OSHIIP volunteer coordinator and OSHIIP counseling site near you. An OSHIIP site can be a facility such as a senior center, hospital, retirement community, local library, etc. that agrees to support and facilitate OSHIIP’s outreach effort in its community. ..."
Oklahoma SHIP
Oklahoma: 1-800-763-2828
SHICP Division - Counseling Seniors With Their Insurance Needs

languages: English
from the web site: "The Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHICP) is a non-profit organization helping to inform the public about Medicare and other senior health insurance issues. This division provides accurate and objective counseling, assistance and advocacy relating to Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Long-Term Care and other related health coverage plans ..."
Oregon SHIP
Oregon: 1-800-722-4134
Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA)

languages: English
from the web site: "The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program provides free counseling to people with Medicare and those who assist them. Volunteers who are trained in Medicare can help you select a Medicare prescription drug plan; find out if you are receiving all possible benefits; compare supplemental health insurance policies; review a bill; and file an appeal or complaint. ..."
Pennsylvania SHIP
Pennsylvania: 1-800-783-7067
Apprise Health Insurance Counseling Program

languages: English
from the web site: "APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help older Pennsylvanians with Medicare. Counselors are specially trained volunteers who can answer your questions about Medicare and provide you with objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, ..."
Puerto Rico SHIP
Puerto Rico : 1-877-725-4300
Programa Estatal de Asistencia sobre Seguros de Salud-(SHIP Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service)

languages: Spanish
from the web site: "Este Programa es auspiciado por Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid (CMS) y recibe ayuda técnica de un Comité Interagencial...."
Rhode Island SHIP
Rhode Island : 1-401-462-4444
THE POINT - State of Rhode Island: Office of Health and Human Services

languages: English
from the web site: "provides information, referrals, and help getting started with programs and services for seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers..."
South Carolina SHIP
South Carolina : 1-800-868-9095
South Carolina Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging

languages: English
from the web site: "Welcome! The Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging is here to help connect seniors with available services. If you are interested in finding services and providers, you can search the SC Access Database..."
South Dakota SHIP
South Dakota : 1-800-536-8197
SHIINE

languages: English
from the web site: "The purpose of the SHIINE program is to educate Medicare beneficiaries and their families on Medicare and Medicare Advantage issues, as well as private health insurance policies like long-term care insurance and Medicare supplemental insurance. Information provided is free and confidential..."
Tennessee SHIP
Tennessee : 1-877-801-0044
Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program

languages: English
from the web site: "The Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program is a statewide program that provides free and objective counseling and assistance to persons with questions or problems regarding Medicare and other related health insurances..."
Texas SHIP
Texas : 1-800-252-9240
Health Information Counseling & Advocacy Program of Texas

languages: English
from the web site: "HICAP´s mission is to establish and maintain a comprehensive, coordinated and statewide system of health insurance counseling for older and disabled Texans..."
UTAH Ship
Utah: 1-800-541-7735
Utah Health Insurance Information Program

languages: English
from the web site: "The Health Insurance Information Program provides information to help guide you in making decisions regarding your health insurance options... In Utah, an individual can obtain information or assistance by contacting the Area Agency on Aging which provides services in their community, or by contacting the Division of Aging and Adult Services..."
Vermont SHIP
Vermont: 1-800-642-5119
Medicare Help VT

languages: English
from the web site: "This program is designed to provide help with questions or concerns about Medicare related issues to those 65 and over or with disabilities..."
US Virgin Island Ship
US Virgin Islands: 1-340-772-7368
VI SHIP/Medicare

languages: English
from the web site: "The Virgin Islands State Health Insurance Assistance Program (VI SHIP) is the Virgin Islands local Medicare source, which is locally administered by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and federally funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)..."
Virginia Ship
Virginia: 1-800-552-3402
Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA)

languages: English
from the web site: "The Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) works with 25 local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) as well as various other public and private organizations to help older Virginians, their families and loved ones find the services and information they need. The Department is a central point of contact for information and services..."
Washington SHIP
Washington: 1-800-562-6900
Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine

languages: English
from the web site: "Learn more about a statewide network of trained volunteers who help people of all ages with questions about health insurance, health care access, and prescription access..."
District of Columbia SHIP
District of Columbia : 1-202-739-0668
Health Center

languages: English
from the web site: "The DC Health Center is an online gateway connecting you to a wide variety of health care services, publications, and other information that you need to maintain and enhance your health and well-being..."
West Virginia SHIP
West Virgina: 1-877-987-4463
WV SHIP Medicare

languages: English
from the web site: "This program serves seniors and those receiving Medicare due to a disability. This is particularly important in West Virginia, as our state has the highest percentage of its population receiving Medicare benefits (19%)..."
Wisconsin SHIP
Wisconsin: 1-800-242-1060
Wisconsin State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

languages: English
from the web site: "The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a federally-funded effort to provide health and long-term care insurance information to Wisconsin residents who are eligible for Medicare, their families and their caregivers. You can access the SHIP program in Wisconsin by contacting the Medigap Helpline (exit DHFS), (a service of the Board on Aging & Long Term Care at 1-800-242-1060) the Medicare Counseling Service..."
Wyoming SHIP
Wyoming: 1-800-856-4398
Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program (WSHIIP)

languages: English
from the web site: "Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program (WSHIIP) is a federally mandated program. It was set up to help seniors and others on Medicare understand their rights and answer their questions. ..."