Frequently Asked Questions about SHIP

What is SHIP?

Who are SHIP Counsellors?

How can I get help through SHIP?

What kinds of help can I get free from SHIP?

 What is SHIP? SHIP provides information, counseling and assistance to Medicare Beneficiaries in Nevada involving a statewide network of volunteers.  SHIP Volunteers offer FREE one-on-one assistance and counseling with respect to many problems seniors encounter regarding Medicare, supplemental health insurance and long-term care options.  SHIP provides services in the following areas:

• Information and eligibility on Medicare entitlements (including the new prescription drug benefit - Part D), benefits, limitations, Medicaid (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) & Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)), Fee-for-Service Plans, and Coordinated Care Plans - Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).
• Assistance with claims, requests for reconsiderations, and appeal processes for Medicare and Supplemental Insurance (Medigap).
• Volunteer Counselors can help determine health insurance needs and provide unbiased information to assist the consumer in making informed decisions about their health and long-term care insurances.
• SHIP Volunteers who are Long-Term Care Option Specialists can help you understand long-term care insurance and other options that many people do not think of, such as modifying your home to stay independent and delay placement in a facility, using public or private resources, investment or savings options, the use of a family member or friend as a caregiver, reverse mortgages, in-home care services from an agency, long-term care housing options, adult day care centers and so on.
• Outreach information to seniors and their families through meetings, seminars, classes, health fairs, senior fairs and the media.
• Referrals and coordination with other state and community services.

Who are SHIP Counsellors?  SHIP counsellors are volunteers who receive many hours of training, with excellent reference materials, so they may answer your questions about healthcare insurance issues with emphasis on the recent changes Medicare changes. These volunteers provide information. They do not sell insurance plans. They will help you step through the decision making process so you can make a decision as to which plan or product is best for you.

How can I get help through SHIP?  You can get help making health insurance decisions by contacting a Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) volunteer. Each state has a SHIP program, and you can find a list of each state's SHIP contact information here. You can locate a SHIP volunteer by calling the office of your State Insurance Commissioner or by contacting your local Senior Center and asking how make a contact with a SHIIP volunteer. If your questions are simple, a meeting with a volunteer may be by phone. If your questions are more complex, a meeting is usually arranged in a Senior Center or other public meeting place.

What kinds of help can I get free from SHIP?  Your state's SHIP will answer your questions such as:

• I’m retiring. What kind of health insurance do I need?
• What is Medicare Part D and can I enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan?
• I can’t make sense of my Medicare statements and medical bills. What do I do next?
• What should I look for in a long term care insurance policy and is it a good option for me?
• Do I need a Medicare supplement policy?
• How can I help my parents with health insurance?

SHIP is unique because its an information source and advocate. SHIP doesn't sell insurance or recommend policies, agents or specific companies. This free, confidential service through your own state provides people on Medicare and concerned relatives or friends objective information about their health insurance needs.

If you have friends or relatives in other states who are on Medicare and have health insurance questions give SHIP a call. SHIP can give you the telephone number for senior health insurance counseling programs nationwide.