The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
The Senior Health Insurance Program, or SHIP, is a free insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. The program was initiated in the fall of 1988, and now has 180 offices throughout the state staffed by a total of over 700 volunteer counselors. All offices are volunteer-based and supported by local sponsoring organizations that offer services to seniors. SHIP is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Insurance, and is offered statewide to Medicare beneficiaries of all ages. SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance company and volunteer counselors do not sell or solicit any type of insurance.
SHIP staff at the Division of Insurance also maintain a toll-free line to provide beneficiaries easy access to information and assistance each business day. The phone line is staffed from 8:00AM until 5:00PM, Monday through Friday, by staff trained in all of the above mentioned areas, as well as other more complex insurance issues. SHIP can be reached by calling 1-800-548-9034.
Since SHIP’s founding in 1988, the program has saved Illinois’ Medicare beneficiaries over $7 million in nearly 125,000 counseling sessions.
For more information, or to find an insurance counselor in your area, please contact:
The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Phone: 1-800-548-9034
Email: The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Website: www.idfpr.com