Understanding the A, B, C, and Ds of Medicare is an overwhelming, isolating experience if older adults and people with disabilities go without help. Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide local, in-depth, insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers. This encompasses a broad range of areas for older adults, including coverage options, fraud and abuse issues, billing problems, appeal rights, and enrollment in low-income protection programs.

SHIPs advise, educate, and empower individuals to navigate the increasingly complex Medicare program and help beneficiaries make choices among a vast array of options to best meet their needs.

This 2021 NCOA issue brief outlines the rationale for FY22 investment of $79.5 million in the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and why it's important to keep funding its network of more than 3,300 local SHIPs and over 15,000 counselors.