Need help navigating Medicare?

Unbiased Medicare Assistance for Missourians

Missouri SHIP is Missouri’s official State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Our services are free, unbiased, and confidential. We are not an insurance agency. We do not sell anything, and our counselors do not ask for money.

Click the blue button and a highly trained SHIP counselor will help you get answers to your questions.

Answers to Your Medicare Questions

Our SHIP counselors have put together some information about the most common questions they answer. Click a question below to learn about Missouri SHIP, Missouri's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Ready for help? Click a blue button to get in contact with one of our highly trained SHIP counselors!

Not sure where to start or what questions to ask?

Not sure where to start or what questions to ask? Many people get overwhelmed at the thought of making these important healthcare decisions. Your Missouri SHIP counselor can talk with you and help you understand Medicare.

Click the blue button and a highly trained Missouri SHIP counselor will contact you and help you get answers to your questions.

What is a Missouri SHIP counselor?

Missouri SHIP counselors are your local Medicare experts! They are trained to answer your Medicare questions, and they continue to receive updates and trainings on a regular basis. All Missouri SHIP counselors have a background check, and they cannot work for insurance companies.

Some Missouri SHIP counselors give their time as volunteers. Some Missouri SHIP counselors are "in-kind" volunteers, which means they work for one of Missouri SHIP’s Community Partner organizations. All Missouri SHIP counselors receive the same training and support from the Missouri SHIP staff and Community Partner organizations.

Is Medicare Advantage right for me?

You’ve heard the commercials on television with celebrity spokesmen telling you that Medicare Advantage is perfect for you. What if you want to go to a doctor that is outside the Medicare Advantage network? Can you get a Medigap policy if you have Medicare Advantage? Talk with your SHIP counselor to see if Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage is best for you.

Click the blue button and a highly trained SHIP counselor will contact you and help you get answers to your questions.

How do I lower my Medicare costs?

Missouri has several Medicare Savings Programs and Social Security has a program called Extra Help that are based upon your income levels. Your SHIP counselor can talk with you to see which program you can benefit most from and help you to apply.

Click the blue button and a highly trained SHIP counselor will contact you and help you get answers to your questions.

Which Prescription Drug Plan is right for me?

With over 40 drug plans to pick from, how do I know which one will be the least expensive? Your Missouri SHIP counselor will work with you to review your prescriptions and do an analysis of all the plans so you can be confident that you’ve picked the best plan for your prescription needs. Isn’t that piece of mind worth a quick consultation with an expert?

I'm disabled, but I'm not 65 yet. Do I qualify?

Jill is only 40 years old but has been disabled for over 2 years. Can she qualify for Medicare? The answer is yes! Your SHIP counselor can talk with you and guide you through how to apply for Medicare.

Click the blue button and a highly trained SHIP counselor will contact you and help you get answers to your questions.

I'm turning 65 next month, what do I do?

Gary turns 65 soon and wants to know how to apply for Medicare. He has been so surprised at how complicated the Medicare choices are and doesn’t know where to start. Your SHIP counselor can talk with you and help educate you on the choices and guide you through how to apply for Medicare.

Click the blue button and a highly trained SHIP counselor will contact you and help you get answers to your questions.

Ready to take control of your Medicare?

Fill out this form and a SHIP counselor will get in touch with you to discuss your questions.

OR give us a call: 1-800-390-3330

Call Center Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm, Monday-Friday (Closed on major holidays.)

800-390-3330

Need help navigating Medicare?

Unbiased Medicare Assistance for Missourians

Answers to Your Medicare Questions

Ready to take control of your Medicare?

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MO SHIP is Missouri's State Health Insurance Assistance Program in partnership with:

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