​​​​​​​​​​​​

Information, Empowerment and Protection

​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 State Health Insurance Assistance Program

SHIP Header.png
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) meets the most universal needs of Medicare beneficiaries. Needs such as understanding their health insurance benefits, bills, and rights. Trained staff and volunteer counselors in all 23 counties and Baltimore City provide in-person and telephone assistance. 

Topics Covered
  • Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance 
  • Medicare Part B: Medical Insurance 
  • Medicare Part C: Advantage Plans 
  • Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Plans 
  • Financial Assistance for Low-Income Beneficiaries
  • Billing Issues, Appeals, Denials, and Grievances
  • Medicare Fraud and Abuse - visit our designated page here​
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Free Community Presentations

Get Answers to Questions About:

  • Coverage Changes
  • Preventive Services
  • Out of Pocket Expenses
  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Coverage Gaps
  • Who Pays First
  • Financial Help w/Copays
  • Medicare Fraud
  • Your Rights
Find your Local SHIP Office
To Volunteer with Your Local SHIP Office 
Have a questions about Medicare fraud or scams? Click here​ to learn more about Senior Medicare Patrol.
Untitled design (10).png
button-2_original.png 



The Maryland Department of Aging receives funding for this program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the State of Maryland and local governments. SHIP counseling services are confidential and free of charge.

Counselors Throughout Maryland​

Call for FREE and Confidential Assistance

​​​Allegany County
​301-783-1710
Charles County
301-934-9305
Prince George's County
301-265-8471

Anne Arundel County
410-222-4257​
​Dorchester County
410-376-3662
Queen Anne's County
410-758-0848 Option 3
Baltimore City
410-396-2273​
​Frederick County​​​
301-600-1234
St. Mary's County
301-475-4200 ext 1064
Baltimore County
410-887-2059​
Garrett County
301-334-9431
Somerset County
410-742-0505
Calvert County
410-535-4606
Harford County
410-638-3025
Talbot County
410-822-2869 ext 231​
Caroline County
410-479-2535
​Howard County
410-313-7392
​Washington County
301-790-0275
​Carroll County
410-386-3800
​Kent County
410-778-2564​
​Wicomico County
410-742-0505

​Cecil County
410-996-8174​
​Montgomery County
301-255-4250
​Worcester County
410-742-0505 


 ​medicare_png (1).jpg

Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment runs every year from October 15th through December 7th. For more information, click here​:
MedicareOE Button.png 


Videos:

Please visit our video collection for more information:

Medicare Minute (approximately one minute long videos):
Playlist: 

By topic:
Home Health Care: https://youtu.be/DuHAYfBznOw 
What’s New in 2021: https://youtu.be/CItCwX35BBc
Medicare Advantage: https://youtu.be/9U40DltbhOA

Long Videos:
Medicare Behavioral Health: https://youtu.be/kSYbxgbKSqA

Partner Organization Videos:
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program National Technical Assistance Center: https://vimeo.com/shiptacenter
Senior Medicare Patrol: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk8-0-V8MnnQVzZFTpJzEzA​​


​​

Why Choose SHIP?

 

​The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) meets the most universal needs of Medicare beneficiaries. Needs such as understanding their health insurance benefits, bills, and rights. Trained staff and volunteer counselors in all 23 counties and Baltimore City provide free, in-person and telephone assistance. 

Topics Covered by SHIP

 

​Trained counselors can provide assistance with:

  • Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance
  • Medicare Part B: Medical Insurance
  • Medicare Part C: Advantage Plans
  • Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)
  • Financial Assistance for Low-Income Beneficiaries
  • Billing Issues, Appeals, Denials, and Grievances
  • Medicare Fraud and Abuse
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Free Community Presentations

Volunteer Opportunities

 
​For some, it offers a chance to give something back to their community. For others, it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. See some of our SHIP volunteer stories under the "Video Library" tab.

Drop-In Articles

Video Library



Human Trafficking GET HELP

National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential

1-888-373-7888 233733 More Information on human trafficking in Maryland

Customer Service Promise

The State of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with friendly and courteous, timely and responsive, accurate and consistent, accessible and convenient, and truthful and transparent services.

Take Our Survey

Help Stop Fraud in State Government

The Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free fraud hotline to receive allegations of fraud and/or abuse of State government resources. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources.

More Information