State Health Insurance Assistance Program

Buffalo Trace Area Agency on Aging and Independent provide assistance to individuals in our area through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. This is a national program that offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. Through grants directed to states, SHIPs provide free counseling and assistance via telephone and face -to-face sessions, public education presentations and programs, and media activities. SHIP was created under Section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1990 (Public Law 101-508). This Act authorizes the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Federal Medicare agency, to make grants to states for health advisory services programs for people with Medicare.

The program seeks to educate the general public and Medicare beneficiaries so they are better able to make informed decisions about their health care. SHIP does not sell anything and there is never a charge for SHIP services. In most cases, counselors can provide information and assistance over the phone or through mail and email, however a face-to-face meeting can be scheduled at the local senior center, library, or ADD office if needed. Home visits can be made as a last resort. All services are provided at no cost to the consumer.

SHIP CAN HELP YOU BY PROVIDING COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE WITH:

The Buffalo Trace Area Development District provides services on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request for those with hearing, visual and all other handicaps.

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