It’s that time of year again: Medicare’s open enrollment period started Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. This is when folks who are enrolled in the Medicare program can change their health coverage or drug plans.
It can be overwhelming and spur a lot of questions. The average beneficiary will have 42 Medicare Advantage plans and 14 stand-alone prescription drug plans to choose from. Add in aggressive marketing from insurance brokers, and it’s no wonder some people struggle to find clear guidance.
The good news is that you can find help — for no cost and from an unbiased source.
That’s where State Health Insurance Assistance Programs come in.
Known as SHIPs, these state-based programs helped roughly 4.3 million Medicare beneficiaries, family members and caregivers in 2022, according to nonprofit KFF (formerly Kaiser Family Foundation). More than 1.7 million of them received in-depth, one-on-one counseling.
Here’s what to know about this service when you need answers to your questions and guidance in making decisions about Medicare coverage.
What to know about SHIPs
A SHIP is a valuable Medicare resource. It’s a state-run program that’s federally funded to give free local counseling on Medicare enrollment and coverage. SHIP services are provided by trained volunteers and team members who know and understand the rules and options in your state.
Unlike insurance brokers who may have a financial incentive to steer you toward certain plans, SHIP counselors provide unbiased advice.
As KFF explains, brokers “generally do not offer the same level of unbiased counseling as financially disinterested resources such as SHIPs” because they may not represent all coverage options. Brokers may have financial incentives favoring certain Medicare Advantage plans over other coverage.
SHIP counselors are working through a government program with no products to sell. Their sole purpose is to help you understand your options so that you can make informed decisions about your coverage.
How a SHIP can help you
SHIPs offer personalized assistance on a wide range of Medicare topics.
Counselors can help you compare plan options, understand Medicare Advantage network restrictions, navigate claims denials and appeals, coordinate Medicare with employer or retiree coverage and apply for financial assistance programs.
You can also expect thorough counseling, with the average SHIP session lasting about 33 minutes. That’s more than three times longer than a call to 1-800-MEDICARE, on average. In fact, 1-800-MEDICARE often refers complex cases to SHIP for the more detailed assistance beneficiaries need, KFF says.
How to get started
SHIP services are available in every state and U.S. territory through a network of local offices. You can connect with a SHIP counselor in person, by phone, online or by email.
Note that SHIP programs can have different names from state to state, so to find a SHIP program in your local area, you can use the program locator on the SHIP website.
Don’t delay if you have questions. Demand for SHIP services tends to peak during Medicare’s open enrollment period, so don’t risk missing out on getting the help you need.
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