Home » Federal benefits » SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling
Who qualifies
Anyone with Medicare or about to enroll. No income limit. Counselors are trained, certified, and unbiased — they don't sell anything.
What you get
Free, confidential one-on-one counseling on Medicare enrollment, plan choice, claims, appeals, billing problems, fraud, and Medicare Savings Programs / Extra Help applications.
Tips that matter
Use SHIP — not a broker, not a TV ad number — for unbiased plan comparison. SHIP counselors will run the Medicare Plan Finder with you.
How to apply
Find your state SHIP via shiphelp.org or call 1-877-839-2675.
State-level help on top of this
Most states layer their own programs on top of this federal one — pharmacy assistance, property tax relief, state Medicaid waivers. Pick your state to see what's available where you live.