What Is Free Medicare Counseling
Free Medicare counseling is most commonly provided through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, often called SHIP.
Every state has a SHIP program. It is funded to help Medicare beneficiaries understand their options — not to sell insurance.
SHIP counselors:
Do not sell Medicare plans
Do not earn commissions
Do not push specific insurers
Focus only on your situation and your needs
Their role is education and guidance. They help you understand:
What Medicare covers
What your choices actually mean
How to avoid unnecessary costs
Think of SHIP as a neutral guide, not a salesperson.
Why This Kind of Help Matters So Much
Medicare decisions are rarely one-time decisions. Plans change. Health needs change. Costs change.
Without guidance, many seniors:
Stay on the same plan year after year without reviewing it
Miss enrollment windows and face penalties
Pay more for prescriptions than necessary
Carry coverage they don’t need — or miss coverage they do
A single conversation with a trained counselor can prevent mistakes that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time.
Common Medicare Mistakes Counseling Helps Prevent
Here are some of the most common (and expensive) issues counselors help seniors avoid:
1. Missing Enrollment Deadlines
Missing certain Medicare enrollment periods can lead to permanent penalties, especially for:
Part B
Part D (prescription coverage)
Once those penalties apply, they often last for life.
2. Choosing a Plan That Doesn’t Cover Your Medications
Prescription formularies change yearly. A plan that covered your medications last year may not cover them the same way this year.
Counselors can:
Check your medications against plan formularies
Compare costs across plans
Help you avoid surprise pharmacy bills
3. Overpaying for Supplemental Coverage
Some seniors pay for coverage they no longer need or choose plans that overlap unnecessarily.
Counseling helps clarify:
Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare
Medigap options
When additional coverage makes sense — and when it doesn’t
4. Ignoring Annual Plan Changes
Medicare plans change every year:
Premiums
Copays
Provider networks
Drug coverage
A plan review doesn’t mean you must switch — it simply ensures you’re not paying more than you should.
When Seniors Should Seek Medicare Counseling
Free counseling is helpful at many stages, not just once. You should strongly consider counseling if you are:
Turning 65 and enrolling for the first time
Retiring and leaving employer coverage
Deciding between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare
Reviewing coverage during Open Enrollment
Experiencing higher medical or prescription costs
Unsure whether your current plan still fits your needs
Even long-time Medicare users benefit from a second set of eyes.
How to Find Free Medicare Counseling
Finding help is easier than most people expect.
You can start in any of these ways:
Search online for “SHIP Medicare counseling + your state”
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging
Appointments may be offered:
By phone
By video call
In person
There is no cost for these services.
What to Bring to a Medicare Counseling Appointment
To get the most value from your session, gather:
Your Medicare card
A list of current medications (names and dosages)
Recent medical bills or plan summaries
Any letters or notices you’ve received
A short list of questions or concerns
The more complete the information, the more specific and helpful the guidance will be.
What Medicare Counseling Is — and Is Not
It is:
Educational
Personalized
Unbiased
Free
It is not:
A sales pitch
A pressure session
A one-size-fits-all recommendation
You stay in control. The counselor simply helps you understand your options clearly.
Why Many Seniors Don’t Use This Help (and Why They Should)
Many seniors skip counseling because:
They assume it costs money
They don’t want to feel “sold to”
They think it’s only for low-income households
They don’t know it exists
In reality, Medicare counseling is one of the most underused and most valuable resources available to older adults. It exists to protect you — not judge you.
A Simple Next Step
If Medicare feels confusing, expensive, or stressful, don’t wait for a problem.
Take one simple step: Schedule a free Medicare counseling session before your next enrollment period or plan renewal.
That single conversation can prevent years of unnecessary costs and give you confidence moving forward.
With care,
Mike Bridges
Founder, The O55 Report