State Health and Insurance
Assistance Program
SHIP
The Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a free health-benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. Our mission is to educate, advocate, counsel and empower people to make informed benefit decisions.
SHIP is
an
independent
program
funded
by
federal
agencies
and
is
not
affiliated
with
the
insurance
industry. It
is
operated
through
our
Area
Agencies
on
Aging and
they
can
be
contacted
at
1-800-551-3191.
How
can
the
SHIP
help
you?
When
you
contact
the
SHIP
office,
we
will
link
you
with
a
local
SHIP
counselor,
who
can
meet
with
you
and
help
you
with:
-
Medicare Eligibility, Benefits and claim filing
-
Medicaid Eligibility, Benefits and claim filing
-
Medicare Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage)
-
Long Term Care Insurance information
-
Medicare Secondary Payor
-
Other types of health insurance benefits
-
Medigap insurance, Medicare
-
Medicare Advantage Plan options and enrollment
-
Medicare Cost Sharing Programs and other Dual Eligible enrollment
-
Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, Waste and Abuse
SHIP counselors are specialists trained in Medicare law and regulations, health insurance counseling and relevant insurance products. SHIP counselors are not connected with any insurance company, nor are they licensed to sell insurance. Their purpose is to serve you objectively and confidentially.
What
if
I
am
homebound?
A
SHIP
counselor
will
meet
with
you
in
your
home
if
you
cannot
get
out
or
don’t
have
transportation.
How
do
I
contact
the
SHIP?
To
reach
the
SHIP,
call
1-800-551-3191.
If
you
need
an
appointment,
our
counselors
will
refer
you
to
the
local
Area
Agency
on
Aging
for
your
county
of
residence.
Is
this
service
really
free?
Yes,
SHIP
counselors
give
their
time
and
expertise
at
no
cost
to
you.
SHIP
receives
funding
from
the
Centers
for
Medicare & Medicaid
Services
and
the
Administration
on
Aging.
Group
presentations
available
SHIP
counselors
also
conduct
public
presentations
on
Medicare,
Medicare
supplemental
insurance,
long
term
care
insurance,
Medicare
Advantage
options,
Medicare/Medicaid
fraud,
waste
and
abuse
and
other
issues
of
importance
to
beneficiaries
and
their
families.
