It’s that time of year again. For most of our adulthood we’ve been reminded (or, more like, nagged!) every Fall to review our health insurance plans.  It can be such a headache!

Most of us just default to whatever plan we already have because, well, it’s the easiest way!  But in recent years, more and more of us have learned that either we aren’t getting the most for our money – OR – that it doesn’t cover nearly what we thought it would – OR – the plan we’ve had is no longer offered.

So now what the heck are we supposed to do?

The TV and online ads and commercials for Medicare Advantage programs are eclipsed only by political and holiday ads. They offer (what sound like) great health plans. They seem to give away so many services – for (ahem…) FREE!

Among those ads you also find websites or services that tell you they will help you find the right Medicare Advantage plan for you – at no cost!

Seriously? Do they expect us to believe that? You know the drill – nothing is ever free.

Let’s follow the money.

Whether it’s the insurer itself running the ad, or if it’s a service that tells you they’ll charge you nothing to find the right plan for you – there are two things to know.

• First, that it cost them a small fortune to run those ads – meaning – now they’ll have to pay for them by getting YOU to buy what they offer. They may not charge you for the advice, but they will most certainly charge you for the decision you make.
  
• And second – that even if they tell you their services (or extra services) are free, they are still going to cost you money. Even the tools found online for helping you determine what you should choose. They are most frequently paid a commission for steering you to the “right” plan. That means your cost for that insurance will be higher to make up for the commission.
  
  Further, despite what they tell you, the limitations the insurer will put on your use of those “free” services will cost you plenty over time. (Those “free” dental checkups will cost you much more later when you need more than just a checkup.)

So what should you do instead?

Not nearly enough of us who are on Medicare realize that our already-paid taxes provide us with a truly free service that helps us choose the right plans, explains the differences among plans, and makes NO money from doing so!

The program is called SHIP = State Health Insurance Program – a free-to-you state-by-state service that helps you by offering confidential, unbiased guidance from trained and certified Medicare experts to help you make important decisions about your care and benefits. Those experts are paid for by tax dollars which you have already paid. That means, you’ve paid for the advice long ago and it won’t cost you a dime more to ask for it.

Do yourself a favor, and contact your state’s SHIP program for help.

How to contact your state’s SHIP program.

Here is the main website where you can find the link you need to your state’s program:

www.SHIPHelp.org

You can learn more about the help they can provide you. Then near the top of the page you’ll find a button that says “Find Local Medicare Help.” That takes you to a list of all 50 state’s local contact information.

Important Note! 

While the overall program is called SHIP, each state has its own name for these programs.

Examples: 

• I live in Virginia, where our SHIP program is called VICAP (Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program.)
• I used to live in New York State where the program is called HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance.)
• Kansas calls its program SHICK = Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas.
• California’s name for SHIP is similar to NY = HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.)

What is the SHIP program in your state called? You can find it linked from here.

Don’t forget: all insurance Open Enrollment decisions must be made by December 15 each year. As we get closer to that date, you’ll find the phone or video waits are longer and longer. So don’t delay! 

Question:  Have you used your state’s SHIP program to help you choose your Medicare plan? If so, please let us know about your experience in the comments below.