4 Places to Get Help Enrolling in Medicare
4 Places to Get Help Enrolling in Medicare
These centers, known by the acronym SHIP, are available in every state plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. About 16,000 SHIP counselors throughout the country provide free one-on-one counseling, seminars and outreach programs, especially during the Oct. 15–Dec. 7 annual open enrollment season, when you can choose a or each year. They can answer questions over the phone, in person or online. States use different names for these programs, such as the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in California and Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) in Florida. To find a SHIP in your area, visit or call 877-839-2675.
Images: State Health Insurance Assistance Program; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Social Security Administration; National Association of Insurance Commissioners Kimberly Lankford is a contributing writer who covers personal finance and Medicare. She previously wrote for Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, and her articles have also appeared in U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Post, and the Boston Globe. She received the personal finance Best in Business award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
Help Enrolling in Medicare
These resources provide one-on-one counseling information about plans near you
Getty/AARP Medicare decisions can be complicated, and if you or make mistakes, you could end up with gaps in coverage, lifetime penalties or extra expenses. If you need help or making , several national and state resources can provide assistance.State Health Insurance Assistance Programs
These centers, known by the acronym SHIP, are available in every state plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. About 16,000 SHIP counselors throughout the country provide free one-on-one counseling, seminars and outreach programs, especially during the Oct. 15–Dec. 7 annual open enrollment season, when you can choose a or each year. They can answer questions over the phone, in person or online. States use different names for these programs, such as the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in California and Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) in Florida. To find a SHIP in your area, visit or call 877-839-2675.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services br
This federal agency, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, runs the Medicare program. offers information about how Medicare works, what it covers, when to enroll and how to buy private insurance policies that can fill in coverage gaps. The Medicare website can tell you . And its is the best way to learn about the Part D, Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans available in your area. If you have questions about Medicare rules, coverage and claims, call Medicare’s help line at 800-633-4227 or use the Live Chat function available by clicking Talk to Someone Chat Now. Information is available in dozens of languages, including English and Spanish. If you speak a language that is not available, ask for an interpreter. The , updated annually, explains what Medicare covers, how it works, when you need to sign up and any changes to the rules.Social Security Administration br
This independent federal agency handles . It can be a helpful source of information about signing up, applying for the Part D prescription drug and understanding Medicare’s Its national toll-free phone number is 800-772-1213, and you can also look up the address and phone number of your .Medicare Rights Center br
This nonprofit has been helping people navigate Medicare for more than 30 years. Counselors can answer questions about Medicare rules, deadlines, enrollment, choices and claims. They are available through the organization’s national helpline at 800-333-4114. Visit for more information about Medicare. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life.State insurance departments
Individual states’ insurance departments can give you information about supplemental Medigap policies in your area. Visit the and look for your state in the Insurance Departments drop-down menu. A web page will open in a new tab that gives information about the leader of the state’s department. At the bottom of the listing is a button that links to a list of state insurance officials. In the right column is a Visit Website button. The state websites can tell you which insurers offer Medigap policies and any special rules they might have. Most state insurance departments list the premiums for each insurer’s Medigap policies and update them annually.Images: State Health Insurance Assistance Program; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Social Security Administration; National Association of Insurance Commissioners Kimberly Lankford is a contributing writer who covers personal finance and Medicare. She previously wrote for Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, and her articles have also appeared in U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Post, and the Boston Globe. She received the personal finance Best in Business award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.