Medicare Information and Counseling

CALL SHIP AT 410-313-7392 

Howard County SHIP is here to help you review your Medicare Prescription Drug coverage options for 2023.  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.  

Medicare & Coronavirus

https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus

Social Security

https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/ - Scroll down to “Getting Help from Social Security” to get more information on Social Security services and accessibility during COVID.

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:

https://www.medicare.gov/basics/forms-publications-mailings/mailings/costs-and-coverage/medicare-summary-notice

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

https://oig.hhs.gov/coronavirus/fraud-alert-covid19.asp?utm_source=web&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=covid19-fraud-alert

SMP Consumer Fraud Alert: COVID-19

https://www.smpresource.org/Content/Medicare-Fraud/SMP-Consumer-Fraud-Alerts/SMP-Consumer-Fraud-Alert-COVID-19.aspx

Are you new to Medicare or helping someone who has Medicare?  Our free public education presentations are a good place to start.

FAQs