SHIP Medicare Counseling 2026: Free Help Before Dec 7

What SHIP Is and Who Pays for It

SHIP has existed since the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, which let the federal government make grants to states for Medicare insurance advice. According to the Administration for Community Living's SHIP page (opens in a new tab), the program was authorized again in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 and moved from CMS to ACL that year. ACL's Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling now manages it.

The structure is simple: 54 grantees (the 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) oversee more than 2,200 local sites and over 12,500 team members. ACL counts paid staff, in-kind professionals and volunteers in that figure. Local sites are often area agencies on aging, senior centers or state insurance departments. ACL says the program focuses on people with limited incomes, adults under 65 with disabilities, and people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, though anyone with Medicare can call.

Money comes from Congress, not from insurers. ACL's FY 2026 operating plan (opens in a new tab) lists $55.242 million for SHIP in both FY 2025 and FY 2026, and a separate $35.0 million for the Senior Medicare Patrol program each year. ACL's SHIP page says each state's share is set yearly by a formula that weighs factors including its Medicare population.

ACL's page still cites 2020 as its latest service year, so treat the counseling counts as dated.

Grantsights Analysis: How Thin the SHIP Network Is

CMS Fast Facts (April 2026) puts average monthly Medicare enrollment at 69.4 million people in calendar year 2025. Set that against ACL's own SHIP figures and the network looks stretched:

• About 5,550 Medicare enrollees per SHIP team member (69.4 million divided by 12,500).
• About 31,500 enrollees per local site (69.4 million divided by 2,200).
• About 80 cents of federal SHIP money per enrollee per year ($55.242 million in FY 2026 divided by 69.4 million).
• About $1.02 million per grantee on average ($55.242 million in FY 2026 across 54 grantees), though the formula gives large states far more than small ones.

Grantsights analysis of the same CMS table finds 35.3 million people (51%) in Medicare Advantage and other health plans in 2025, and 56.0 million with Part D coverage, up from 54.4 million in 2024. That's why the work has grown harder. CMS's September 28, 2026 release counts 5,553 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 and about 5,532 for 2027. Comparing that many plan designs one caller at a time is slow, which is why counselors ask you to bring a complete drug list.

Our reading: SHIP is the best free source of plan-neutral advice, but it can't serve everyone in December. Call in early November, or plan your review for the first half of the season next year.

What a SHIP Counselor Can Help You With

ACL's SHIP page lists 3 kinds of help, according to the ACL SHIP program description: coverage options, applications for cost help, and education on notices, forms and appeal rights. Here's how that looks in practice.

Three things a counselor won't do: sell you a policy, take a commission, or enroll you in a plan to earn a fee. They also can't decide your Medicaid or Extra Help case; the state and Social Security do that.

For suspected billing fraud, errors or abuse, the sister program is the Senior Medicare Patrol. ACL's SMP page (opens in a new tab) says SMPs work in all 50 states, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with about 5,532 staff and volunteers at more than 500 local sites. Per the 2023 OIG report ACL cites, SMPs held 270,348 individual counseling sessions in 2021 and tied their work to $111.3 million in expected Medicare recoveries. The SMP Resource Center's national line is 877-808-2468.

How to Find Your State's SHIP (With 12 State Numbers)

There are 54 SHIPs and many use their own names, which is why searches for "SHIP Medicare" often miss them. Three ways to reach yours:

1. Online: use "Find Your SHIP" on shiphelp.org, the site of the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (its own line, 877-839-2675, is for the center, not for counseling).
2. By phone through Medicare: call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) and ask for your SHIP's number.
3. Directly: call your state's line from the table below.

Grantsights checked these numbers on shiphelp.org's state listings, and the California and New York lines also against the state aging department pages, on November 10, 2026:

Florida's and Massachusetts' programs are both called SHINE but the letters stand for different words, and California and Texas both use HICAP. Per the California Department of Aging's HICAP page (opens in a new tab), HICAP gives free, confidential counseling on Medicare and long-term care insurance and can provide legal help or referrals for Medicare problems. The New York State Office for the Aging's HIICAP page (opens in a new tab) says more than 700 trained counselors work from local offices for the aging, and the helpline asks for your county before routing you.

Where the SHIP sits matters. Ohio, North Carolina and Washington run theirs through the state insurance department; California, New York, Georgia, Illinois and Pennsylvania run theirs through the state aging agency. Either way, the counseling is the same free service.

Medicare Enrollment Periods a Counselor Will Ask About

Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and a plan must receive your request by December 7 for coverage to start January 1. Per Medicare.gov's joining a plan page (opens in a new tab), these are the windows that count:

The Medigap window is the one people regret missing. Medicare.gov's Medigap timing page (opens in a new tab) says that once those 6 months pass, there's no federal guarantee an insurer will sell you a policy, and it may charge more for health problems. A common mistake is joining Medicare Advantage at 65, leaving it years later, and finding Medigap out of reach. Some states give extra rights, so ask your SHIP what applies where you live.

Part D timing has its own penalty. Medicare.gov's Part D costs page (opens in a new tab) says that going 63 or more days in a row without creditable drug coverage after your first window adds 1% of the national base premium ($38.99 in 2026) for each uncovered month, for as long as you have Part D. Specifically, 14 uncovered months means a 14% penalty, about $5.50 a month on top of your premium. People who get Extra Help don't pay it.

2026 Medicare Costs and the Savings Programs Counselors Screen For

The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, up $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025, per the CMS 2026 premium fact sheet (opens in a new tab). The Part B deductible is $283 and the Part A hospital deductible is $1,736. Individuals with modified adjusted gross income above $109,000 (joint filers above $218,000) pay more, starting at $284.10 a month.

Drug costs are capped. Medicare.gov says no Part D plan may have a deductible above $615 in 2026, and out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs stops at $2,100 for 2026, rising to $2,400 in 2027.

The bigger savings come from state-run Medicare Savings Programs. Medicare.gov's Medicare Savings Programs page (opens in a new tab) lists these 2026 federal limits:

Grantsights analysis of those limits: on a yearly basis, QMB reaches $16,200 for a single person, SLMB $19,392 and QI $21,792. Covering the Part B premium alone is worth $2,434.80 a year in 2026 ($202.90 times 12), and QMB also removes the $283 deductible and 20% coinsurance on covered services. Medicare.gov adds that limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii, that some states set higher limits or don't count certain income or assets, and that you should apply through your state Medicaid office "even if you don't think you qualify." QI must be renewed every year and is first come, first served.

Extra Help is the federal drug subsidy. According to Medicare.gov's Extra Help page (opens in a new tab), 2026 limits are $23,940 in income and $18,090 in resources for one person, or $32,460 and $36,100 for a married couple. You get it automatically if you have full Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program or SSI. Medicare.gov lists 2027 costs under Extra Help of a $0 plan premium and deductible, up to $5.80 per generic and $14.40 per brand-name drug, and $0 once total drug costs reach $2,400. The Medicare Savings Programs page separately says QMB, SLMB and QI enrollees pay no more than $12.65 per covered drug in 2026. The help for seniors guide covers other programs that stack with these, and the Medicaid income limits guide shows full Medicaid cutoffs by state.

How to Prepare for a SHIP Appointment

Counselors work fastest with complete information. A typical November session runs through your drugs and doctors, so gather these before you call:

1. Your red, white and blue Medicare card and any current plan card (Advantage, Part D or Medigap).
2. A full drug list with name, strength, dose and how often you take it. Include drugs you take only a few times a year.
3. Your doctors and preferred pharmacy, so the counselor can check networks.
4. Your plan's Annual Notice of Change if you're already enrolled. It explains what your plan changes for next year.
5. Rough monthly income and savings totals for you and a spouse, so the counselor can screen for Extra Help and a Medicare Savings Program.
6. Any denial letter or bill you want explained.

Ask the counselor to compare at least one plan you didn't pick before, including Original Medicare with a stand-alone drug plan. The CMS release says the average stand-alone drug plan premium rises from $35.09 in 2026 to $36 in 2027, while the average Medicare Advantage premium falls from $14.37 to $12.00. Low premiums don't settle the question; networks, prior authorization and total drug costs do.

If you've already been turned down for a Medicare Savings Program, apply again after any income drop. Under-65 enrollees on SSDI should also read the disability grants for individuals guide, and anyone on SSI can check the SSI benefits guide, since SSI brings Extra Help automatically.

What Medicare.gov Doesn't Tell You About SHIP

Medicare.gov mentions SHIP on its Extra Help and fraud pages, but several practical points only show up when you compare sources:

• The name on the phone line probably isn't "SHIP." Of the 12 state listings Grantsights checked, only Georgia and Michigan use "SHIP" in their program name; Illinois uses the same letters for "Senior Health Insurance Program." Searching for the state acronym (HICAP, SHINE, HIICAP, SHIBA, OSHIIP, PA MEDI) finds the right line faster.
• SHIP's newest public service count is from 2020. ACL's page hasn't posted a later national total, so no one outside the program can say how many people get through in a busy December.
• Funding has been flat. ACL's operating plan shows the same $55.242 million in FY 2025 and FY 2026, while Medicare enrollment grew from 68.0 million in 2024 to 69.4 million in 2025 per CMS Fast Facts.
• Agents aren't counselors. A licensed agent can be helpful, but Medicare.gov's marketing rules require them to tell you how many organizations they represent before discussing benefits. A SHIP counselor represents none.
• Savings programs pay more than plan switching for many callers. For a single person with $1,700 a month in income, the QI program alone is worth $2,434.80 a year in 2026, more than most premium differences between drug plans.

Our view: if your income is under roughly $1,816 a month as a single person, start here: ask your SHIP about savings programs first and plan comparisons second. That's often worth more than a better drug plan.

Medicare Scams and Marketing Red Flags

Medicare.gov's fraud reporting page (opens in a new tab) says Medicare "will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home." It also lists SHIP contacts among the few people who should see your Medicare number. Red flags during Open Enrollment:

• Uninvited calls or texts. Per Medicare.gov's marketing rules page (opens in a new tab), plans can't call or text you unless you're a member or gave permission, and they can't come to your home uninvited.
• Gifts worth more than $15, cash, or free meals offered as a reason to join.
• Requests for bank or card numbers just to give you a quote, or to pay by phone. Plans must send a bill.
• Pressure to sign before you're ready, or a pitch for annuities or life insurance during a Medicare meeting.
• Anyone charging a fee to "help you enroll." Agents can't charge enrollment fees, and SHIP is free.
• "Free" medical equipment or tests in exchange for your Medicare number.

Report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or the HHS Office of Inspector General's online form. Advantage and drug plan members can also call the I-MEDIC line at 1-877-772-3379, and your local SMP (877-808-2468) can help you sort out a suspicious bill. The FTC's government grant scams page (opens in a new tab) covers the related trick of callers who promise free money for a fee.

For costs Medicare doesn't touch, the free Grantsights eligibility checker points individuals who pick personal financial help to official routes such as the USA.gov benefit finder and 211; it doesn't compare Medicare plans, so use your SHIP for that. If a drug is still unaffordable after Extra Help, the HealthWell Foundation guide and the PAN Foundation guide cover copay charities, and the guide to help with medical bills explains hospital financial assistance.

FAQ: SHIP Medicare Counseling

What is SHIP for Medicare? A free, federally funded counseling program in every state, managed by ACL. There are 54 grantees and more than 2,200 local sites.

Is SHIP Medicare counseling really free? Yes. It's paid for by federal grants, about $55.2 million in FY 2026, and isn't tied to any insurer.

How do I find my state's SHIP? Use shiphelp.org's locator, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or call your state line, such as HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 in California.

What can a SHIP counselor help me with? Plan comparisons, Medigap timing, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, notices and appeals. SMP handles fraud reports.

When should I call SHIP during Medicare Open Enrollment? Early. Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2026, and appointments fill late in the season.

Does SHIP help with Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs? Yes. Extra Help's 2026 income limit is $23,940 for one person, and QI covers the $202.90 Part B premium up to $1,816 a month in income.

Sources

1. Administration for Community Living, State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (opens in a new tab)
2. Administration for Community Living, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) (opens in a new tab)
3. Administration for Community Living, Operating Plan for FY 2026 (opens in a new tab)
4. SHIP National Technical Assistance Center, shiphelp.org (opens in a new tab) and state listings for California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington
5. California Department of Aging, Medicare Counseling (HICAP) (opens in a new tab)
6. New York State Office for the Aging, HIICAP (opens in a new tab)
7. Medicare.gov, Joining a plan (opens in a new tab)
8. Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs (opens in a new tab)
9. Medicare.gov, Help with drug costs (Extra Help) (opens in a new tab)
10. Medicare.gov, Costs for Medicare drug coverage (opens in a new tab)
11. Medicare.gov, When can I buy a Medigap policy? (opens in a new tab)
12. Medicare.gov, Marketing rules for Medicare health and drug plans (opens in a new tab)
13. Medicare.gov, Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse (opens in a new tab)
14. CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles (November 14, 2025) (opens in a new tab)
15. CMS, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027 (September 28, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
16. CMS Fast Facts, April 2026 (opens in a new tab)
17. SMP Resource Center (opens in a new tab)
18. FTC, Government Grant Scams (opens in a new tab)