Brief: "The Role of SHIPs in Helping People with Medicare Navigate Their Coverage"

The KFF brief describes how State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide free, local, in-depth counseling and education to Medicare beneficiaries and their families to help them navigate increasingly complex coverage choices. As Medicare beneficiaries face a growing number of Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan options—alongside aggressive marketing tactics—SHIPs offer unbiased, personalized support that complements the 1-800-MEDICARE helpline. Despite their importance, SHIPs operate with relatively modest federal funding (about $70 million in 2025) and face challenges in scaling outreach and resources. The brief also highlights proposed administrative changes in the Department of Health and Human Services that could impact SHIP oversight and underscores the uncertainty surrounding whether SHIPs can meet the rising demand for individualized assistance.