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Free,
confidential
and unbiased
Medicare
information and
assistance
State Health Insurance
Assistance Program (SHIP)
HOW CAN I CONTACT SHIP?
SHIP services are accessible
from a variety of locations
and consumers are served
in a number of ways:
BY PHONE:
410-313-7392
(all messages returned
on a timely basis)
Listing of Upcoming Presentations:
www.howardcountymd.gov(type “SHIP” into the Search box)
SHIP…..
• SHIP helps Medicare beneficiaries of
any age, their families and caregivers
understand their health insurance
choices, benefits, costs, and rights.
• Information and assistance is
provided in a variety of formats,
including public education
presentations, one-on-one
counseling and community outreach.
• The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
program of Howard County, which
operates of the of the same office,
teaches Medicare clients how to
protect themselves and Medicare by
recognizing and reporting health
care fraud, abuse , or error.
• All SHIP/SMP services are free,
confidential and unbiased.
SHIP can help you with:
• Understanding Medicare
- What Medicare covers and how
much it pays
- Knowing what to consider
when deciding if a Medicare
supplement policy (Medigap)
or a Medicare health plan
(Medicare Advantage) might
be the right option
- How to compare Medicare
Prescription Drug Plans,
including formulary listings
and restrictions, monthly
premiums and cost sharing
- When changes can be made
to Medicare coverage (such
as a Beneficiary’s Initial
Enrollment Period, or the
Open Enrollment Period
for Medicare Advantage
and Medicare Prescription
Drug Plans which runs from
October 15 to December 7)
- Coordination of Medicare
benefits with other health
insurance coverage
• Benefit program review and
application assistance
- Explanation of available
assistance programs for
persons with limited income
and/or resources
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H OWA R D C O U N T Y C A R E G I V E R G U I D E