State Health Insurance Assistance Program

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a counseling program designed to answer 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.

SHIP volunteers help elderly citizens and caregivers understand Medicare benefits; organize doctor and hospital bills; file Medicare appeals; review Medicare Supplemental Insurance; evaluate Medicare+ Choice or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) options; understand Medicaid eligibility, and explore long-term care options. For information on Medicare+ Choice options, visit Medicare.