SHIP Medicare Counselor Locator
Find free, unbiased Medicare counseling through your local SHIP program — no sales, no cost.
SHIP offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling with no sales pitch, in every state. Find your local counselor at shiphelp.org or by calling 1-877-839-2675.
If Medicare feels confusing, a SHIP counselor can walk through your specific situation one-on-one, for free, with no product to sell you. Use the official locator below to connect with your state's program.
Find Your Local SHIP Counselor
SHIP counselors don't sell insurance
Unlike calling an insurance agent or broker, who often works on commission and may represent specific companies, SHIP counselors are federally funded, unbiased, and don't sell any product. There's no cost and no income requirement.
SHIP National Technical Assistance Center
Call 1-877-839-2675 shiphelp.org →shiphelp.org has a full state-by-state directory. You can also email info@shiphelp.org.
What a SHIP counselor can help with
- Understanding Medicare Parts A/B/C/D and enrollment timing
- Comparing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans
- Applying for Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help
- Spotting Medicare fraud
- General Medicare questions, in person or by phone
Already used this site's Enrollment Period Finder, Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checker, or Extra Help Eligibility Calculator? A SHIP counselor can help you apply what those tools show, one-on-one and for free.
SHIP exists specifically because Medicare decisions are complicated and most of the people selling Medicare plans have a financial interest in which one you pick. SHIP counselors don't. They're funded by the federal government to provide unbiased, one-on-one help, in person or by phone, covering everything from basic Medicare enrollment timing to comparing specific Medicare Advantage or Part D plans to applying for programs that lower your costs, like Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help. If you've already used this site's calculators to check your eligibility for those programs, a SHIP counselor is often the right next step to actually walk through the application with you. The service is available in every state plus DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and it's open to anyone eligible for Medicare, including people under 65 with disabilities, along with their family members and caregivers. There's no income limit and no cost involved at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SHIP?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, a federally funded service offering free, unbiased, one-on-one Medicare counseling in every state, at no cost and with no sales involved.
Is SHIP counseling really free?
Yes, completely free. SHIP counselors are not insurance agents and don't sell any product.
Who can use SHIP?
Anyone eligible for Medicare, including people under 65 with disabilities, plus their families and caregivers. There's no income requirement.
How do I find a SHIP counselor near me?
Visit shiphelp.org for a state-by-state directory, or call the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center at 1-877-839-2675.
What can a SHIP counselor help me with?
Understanding your Medicare options, comparing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, applying for Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help, and spotting potential Medicare fraud.
Is SHIP the same as calling an insurance agent?
No. Insurance agents often work on commission and may represent specific companies. SHIP counselors are unbiased and don't sell insurance products.
This tool provides general information about the SHIP program and directs users to the official SHIP locator service. For personalized Medicare guidance, contact your local SHIP counselor directly.