How to apply for State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

Who it's for

SHIP provides free, unbiased, one-on-one Medicare counseling to anyone with Medicare and to their families and caregivers. A trained SHIP counselor — not a salesperson and not paid on commission — will sit down with you to compare Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, and Medigap policies, sort out enrollment deadlines and late-enrollment penalties, untangle a denied claim or an appeal, and check whether you qualify for cost-saving programs like the Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help. There is no income test and the service is always free. SHIP is run by the federal Administration for Community Living and delivered through a local office in every state — in California it is called HICAP, in Florida it is called SHINE — so the counselor knows both the national rules and the local plans available where you live.

What you'll need

• Medicare card (if already enrolled)
• A list of your current prescriptions (helpful when comparing Part D drug plans)
• Any plan letters, bills, or denial notices you want explained

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need medicare card (if already enrolled), a list of your current prescriptions (helpful when comparing Part D drug plans), any plan letters, bills, or denial notices you want explained — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Gather your documents before the appointment. Bring your Medicare card if you are already enrolled in Medicare. Write down all your current prescriptions — this is especially helpful if you want to compare Part D drug plans. Collect any plan letters, bills, or denial notices you want a counselor to review.
2. Contact your local SHIP office to schedule a free, one-on-one counseling appointment. You can apply online or call by phone. In California, call 1-800-434-0222. In all other listed states — Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas — call 1-800-677-1116.
3. Meet with your SHIP counselor. The counselor is a trained volunteer, not a salesperson, and is not paid on commission. Tell them what you need help with — comparing Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap plans; understanding enrollment deadlines or penalties; sorting out a denied claim or appeal; or checking whether you qualify for cost-saving programs like Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help.
4. Ask any follow-up questions during or after your session. There is no income test and no limit on how often you can use SHIP. Reach back out any time a new Medicare question comes up.

What to expect: After you contact your local SHIP office, a trained counselor will be matched with you and an appointment will be scheduled — processing times vary, so ask the office for a current estimate when you call or apply online. The counseling session is completely free and unbiased. There is no renewal requirement for SHIP itself; simply reach out again whenever a new Medicare question arises or during Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs October 15 through December 7 each year, when plan changes take effect.

Renewals

none (use it whenever you have a Medicare question or during Open Enrollment, Oct 15 – Dec 7)