Medicare costs · Nationwide
SHIP: Free, Unbiased Medicare Counseling
A trained local counselor who compares your Medicare options with you and sells nothing.
Written and checked by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward · Checked August 25, 2026
What it is typically worth
$300 – $2,000 a year
An estimate for a typical household. Your amount depends on your income, your state, and your situation.
What this program is, in plain English
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, usually called SHIP, though some states give it a different name. Counselors are trained and certified, the service is free, and they earn no commission and represent no insurance company. They will sit with you and compare drug plans against your actual medication list, explain a denial, help you appeal, screen you for Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs, and walk you through enrollment. If you take away one thing about Medicare from this whole site, it is that this free, neutral help exists in your own county and most people have never been told about it.
What you actually get
One-on-one Medicare counseling, plan comparison, appeals help, and benefits screening, at no cost and with no sales.
Who qualifies
- Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
- Available to anyone with Medicare or approaching Medicare eligibility, and to their family members and caregivers. No income test.
What to have ready
- Medicare card
- A list of your medications and their doses
- Your current plan information
How to apply
This program is run by State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, funded by the Administration for Community Living. Most decisions take Appointments are usually available within a week or two, longer during fall open enrollment.
Timing matters
We are not a government agency. These links go straight to the agency that runs the program. Applying is always free.
Every program on this site is free to apply for. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to “unlock” a government benefit, is a scam — hang up and call Senior Medicare Patrol or 211.
Report something wrong on this page
Sources
- Program page — shiphelp.org
- State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, funded by the Administration for Community Living — acl.gov
- Legal authority: 42 U.S.C. § 1395b-4
Checked August 25, 2026 by Jason Burns (http fetch + browser + content check 2026-08-25). Licensed under the Citation License 1.0.
Related programs
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)Your state pays your Medicare Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays too.
- Nevada Medicare Savings Programs: help paying the Part B premiumWho decides QMB, SLMB and QI in Nevada, and how to reach them.
- District of Columbia Medicare Savings Programs: help paying the Part B premiumWho decides QMB, SLMB and QI in District of Columbia, and how to reach them.
- Delaware Medicare Savings Programs: help paying the Part B premiumWho decides QMB, SLMB and QI in Delaware, and how to reach them.
Not sure if this one is for you?
The free screener checks you against every program at once. It takes about two minutes and never asks for your name or phone number.
Start the free screener