Medicare Help

Free and Unbiased Help and Guidance

Michigan’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides unbiased help with Medicare — at no charge. Our certified volunteers answer questions, troubleshoot problems and help people understand their plan choices. Government grants allow us to offer impartial assistance for free. Please note that the SHIP program is only able to help with Medicaid if the recipient is also eligible for Medicare. Help is available by calling (800) 803-7174.

We Offer:

Personalized Medicare Counseling
Talk one-on-one with a certified counselor by phone, in person, or virtually. We can help you:

• Identify resources for prescription drug assistance

• Explain Medicare health plan options and assist in enrolling in Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans

• Understand Medicare eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims, and appeals

• Review doctor bills, hospital bills, and Medicare Summary Notices

• Enroll in Medicare Savings Programs

• Review your Medicare supplemental (“Medigap”) insurance needs and compare policies

• Identify and report Medicare fraud, abuse, and scams

Help During Open Enrollment
From October 15 to December 7 each year, we provide expert guidance during Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period. We host free Open Enrollment Assistance Days across our six-county region to help you review plan options and enroll. There’s also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31.

Help Finding Savings on Medicare Costs
If you’re a lower-income beneficiary, we can help you apply for programs that reduce premiums and prescription drug costs—like the Medicare Part D Extra Help Program and the Medicare Savings Program.

Educational Presentations and Events
Our staff and trained volunteers offer presentations on a wide range of Medicare topics for senior groups, professionals, community organizations, and more. We also host “New to Medicare” events at libraries and senior centers to help individuals understand plan options, timelines, and how to enroll.

Volunteer Opportunities
Want to make a difference in your community? We’re looking for detail-oriented, tech-savvy volunteers to become certified Medicare counselors. We provide in-depth training so you can confidently assist older adults with Medicare questions and enrollment.