State Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

Person filling out a reportState Health Insurance Program & Senior Medicare Patrol

What is Medicare?

Medicare and Medicaid are insurance options for the elderly and the disabled. South Carolina has implemented the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to help those applying for Medicare and Medicaid to make the correct choices regarding their insurance. SHIP is a free health benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. SHIP is funded by federal agencies and not associated with any insurance agency. For more information about the SHIP program, contact us.

  • If you are eligible for Medicare, you are eligible for SHIP counseling
  • SHIP counseling is a free service
  • Medicare health and drug plans can change each year regarding cost, coverage and what providers and pharmacies are in a beneficiary's network. October 15th to December 7th is the open enrollment period when all people with Medicare can change their health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year.
  • Beginning 2019, Medicare beneficiaries opting coverage through Medicare Advantage plans will have an additional enrollment period beginning January 1 and lasting though March 31.
  • The Appalachian Area Agency on Aging also houses the SMP, (Senior Medicare Patrol) program for the region. This program assists with Medicare fraud and abuse cases.
  • The Appalachian Area Agency on Aging’s Benefits Counselors assist Beneficiaries all year long with plan issues, claim appeals and subsidy programs.
  • Benefit counselors are state certified through the Office on Aging to ensure they acquire the most current, relevant information for assisting callers.

Farmers' Market

Where to redeem your Farmers' Market vouchers

Other Areas of Interest

Medicare Part D PDP - Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

Medicare Savings Programs - Get an application for ABDQi, or SLMB 

South Carolina Medicaid

Extra Help of Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)

Medicare and You

Medicare Supplemental/Medigap Plans:

www.doi.sc.gov

Prescription Assistance Programs

www.rxassist.org

www.needymeds.org

Downloads

Download and complete the SHIP Medicare Worksheet if you need our staff to prepare a plan comparison report for you.

Once completed, please MAIL this form to:

Appalachian Area Agency on Aging
30 Century Circle
Greenville, SC 29607
FAX: 864.568.4776


Frequently asked questions about SHIP

On my birthday, I will be eligible for Medicare. Can you help me?

Yes. Both the Medicare and Social Security websites have a vast amount of information addressing this particular question. Check out www.Medicare.gov or www.SSA.gov. You may also obtain a copy of Medicare and You from Medicare or our office or call Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227. If you prefer, contact our SHIP counselor who will be able to give you the timelines on when you need to enroll and various options available to you for insurance plans that include: Prescription Drugs, Supplemets and Medigap Plans.

Part D Plans, Supplements, Medigap Plans, Advantage Plans are very confusing, how can I figure out what is best for me?

You may refer to the Medicare website www.Medicare.gov, the Medicare and You booklet (which is also available for view on the site) that will list the Advantage and Part D plans available in your State or contact Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227. If you prefer, our SHIP counselor, with your help and information, can give you the options for assistance programs and plans that you are eligible for in your area. They will answer any questions you might have.

What if I am having a problem with an Employee Plan or COBRA?

If your benefits associate at your former place of employment cannot assist you, the SHIP counselor may advocate and assist as a third party to interpret the information. There are specific Federal Guidelines for COBRA which the SHIP counselor can provide information.

My doctor just changed my medications and they are not on my Part D plan formulary.

Our SHIP counselor can assist in reviewing your current plan. S/he will check to see if you qualify for changing to a plan that will cover it or look into a prescription assistance program.

I retired with an employee benefit plan that is getting too expensive for me to keep, can you help?

You may wish to review plans in your zip code utilizing the Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Programs or Compare Health Plans under the search tools on www.Medicare.gov. We can also do a complete review of your plan and give you the options available through Medicare for your situation. You can then decide on what whether to keep it or not.

There was a layoff and I lost my job and insurance. Are there any programs out there for me?

There could be depending on your location, the medication needed and other personal information that the SHIP counselor can go over with you to determine what you qualify for.

I just received my Explanation of Benefits from Medicare from when I was in the hospital. I do not understand them and it looks like I owe $50,000. Is that true?

Medicare can be contacted directly at 1-800-633-4227 or the billing department at the facility where you were treated for further explanation. If that is not successful, you may contact our SHIP counselor. Until the counselor can go over them, s/he cannot say for sure. The counselor will get a copy of the Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or bill, if there is one, and review it for clarification so s/he can better advise you.

What is the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)?

The SMP program empowers seniors through increased awareness and understanding of healthcare programs. This knowledge helps seniors to protect themselves from the economic and health-related consequences of Medicare and Medicaid fraud, error and abuse. SMP projects also work to resolve beneficiary complaints of potential fraud in partnership with state and national fraud control/consumer protection entities, including Medicare contractors, state Medicaid fraud control units, state attorneys general, the Office of Inspector General and CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services). For more information you may access www.acl.gov which is the Administration for Community Living website.

Last month I got my Jazzy chair from ABC Medical Equipment Company. They said I did not have to pay anything and now I have a bill for $2000. What is going on? Could it be fraud?

You may contact the Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477 and they will assist you in evaluating your situation. Your local SHIP counselor may also assist you in investigating this bill and if it is thought to be a fraud case, they can assist you in taking the appropriate action through the Senior Medicare Patrol.

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