SHIP is a benefits counseling program for Medicare

You may have heard in the news recently that there were proposals to cut funding for the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, also known as SHIP.

However, the SHIP program is on track to survive! If you have never heard of SHIP, you may be asking yourself what exactly is SHIP and why is it important to seniors all across America?

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program is a benefits counseling program that is authorized under provisions of Medicare law. The law authorizes national funding for a program of health insurance information, counseling and advocacy grants. This program is often referred to as “SHIP” and are available to all Medicare beneficiaries across the United States. The Administration for Community Living (ACL), which is part of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, administers the SHIP program. In Texas, this Benefits Counseling program is a required component of the Area Agency on Aging. There are 28 Area Agencies on Aging in Texas; together they serve all 254 counties in the State.

So what exactly do these SHIP counselors do? The SHIP benefits counselors assist Medicare beneficiaries with navigating the various aspects of Medicare, including Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. SHIP services are free to all Texas residents and were created to:

■ Educate consumers and answer questions about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance and prescription drug coverage.

■ Provide assistance with all issues related to Medicare, such as enrollment, filing appeals, resolving claims issues and reporting suspected fraud.

■ Provide guidance and enrollment help during the annual open enrollment period for Part D drug plans.

What makes the program so unique is that SHIP counselors are not allowed to hold an active insurance license or be affiliated with any insurance company. This means that the information and assistance provided is completely impartial and free from bias. The counselors are not allowed to sway the client’s decision. SHIP counselors only educate about the benefits and give information on the best options. Once the client has a better understanding of their benefits and options, they can make a better decision about their health care benefits and which route to take.

SHIP counselors in Texas can also help Medicare beneficiaries learn about programs that will save them on Medicare costs. They provide education and information on programs like the Medicare Savings Programs that help with the cost of the Medicare Part B premium, as well as the Social Security Administration’s program called Extra Help that helps with costs associated with prescriptions. Because applying for these programs can sometimes be confusing, SHIP counselors will also provide application assistance if needed.

Medicare and the programs associated with it are ever-changing and can be overwhelming to navigate if you aren’t familiar with health insurance and state assistance programs. SHIP benefit counselors can make the process easier for seniors by educating them on the programs and explaining what their options are. The SHIP program helps give them confidence to make their own decisions regarding their health insurance.

If you or someone you know needs help understanding their Medicare benefits or want to know what their options are, you can call 1-800-3724464 and speak with a SHIP benefits counselor at Ark-Tex Area Agency on Aging.