State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Whether you are new to Medicare or have had it for some time, our trained staff and Certified Medicare Counselors provide free, unbiased assistance for questions or concerns such as:
- What Medicare covers
- Prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage/health plans, Medigap policies
- Billing, claims, denials and appeals
- Programs that help with Medicare costs
SHIP is currently offering educational Medicare presentations remotely. Learn how SHIP can help. Call 410-313-7392 to register for presentations. Please note that registration closes 48 hours before the presentation commences.
Medicare Resources
CALL SHIP AT 410-313-7392
Howard County SHIP is here to help you review your Medicare Prescription Drug coverage options. Starting September 23, you can call Howard County SHIP at 410-313-7392 to schedule a remote counseling appointment by phone with a Certified SHIP Counselor. SHIP is not able to accommodate walk-in appointments. You do not need to have a computer or internet access for SHIP to help you. Please read the information below to help you prepare and understand what to expect during your remote counseling appointment with a Certified SHIP Counselor.
Enrollment in Medicare is done through the Social Security Administration’s website or by contacting a Social Security representative. The SHIP office cannot facilitate Medicare enrollment. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or go to https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/.
The Howard County Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) provides public information to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report health care fraud, error and abuse.
We encourage beneficiaries to carefully read their Medicare Summary Notices and ask questions if they think some information is incorrect. Most errors are usually a result of a clerical error and can be resolved by contacting your health care provider. If this does not resolve your problem, SMP can help you navigate the appeals process. Learn more about how to review your Medicare Summary Notice at Medicare’s webpage:
When fraud or abuse is suspected, SMP can assist by making referrals to the appropriate state and federal agencies, including the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General, for further investigation.
For more information about Medicare related fraud alerts, visit the following site:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/strike-force/
SMP Consumer Fraud Alerts
https://www.smpresource.org/Content/Medicare-Fraud/SMP-Consumer-Fraud-Alerts.aspx
Call SMP at 410-313-7392 for more information.
For updated information about COVID related scams, please follow the following links:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
SMP Consumer Fraud Alert: COVID-19
Are you new to Medicare or helping someone who has Medicare? Our free public education presentations are a good place to start.
FAQs
Disclaimer: The information provided in Howard County SHIP’s public education presentations and website are intended for general educational purposes only, as relevant factors vary based on individual circumstances. Howard County SHIP’s presentations and website are not recommended as the sole source of information for individual decision making. It is important to seek additional information from other sources as well, including e.g., from a benefits coordinator, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and/or your local SHIP program. While we endeavor to keep information up to date and accurate, policies and rules are subject to change. Any reliance placed on the information provided in our presentations and website is done strictly at your own risk. Howard County assumes no responsibility for decisions made or actions taken as a result of the information provided in our presentations and website.