State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Alabama. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Free Medicare counseling
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): free Medicare counseling in Alabama
Alabama's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, called SHIP, gives free help with Medicare and other health insurance. The Alabama Department of Senior Services runs it.
SHIP counselors are not tied to any insurance company and will not try to sell you a plan.
How to apply in Alabama
- By phone
- 1-800-243-5463
- In person
- Call and ask for the SHIP in your area. Help is set up through your local Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center. The state's Help and Services page has a county map to find yours.
Who may qualify in Alabama
| Who may get help | Anyone with Medicare, and their family and caregivers |
|---|
Good to know
- There is no cost to use SHIP services.
- The SHIP National Technical Assistance Center lists this program as the state's SHIP.
Sources: Alabama Department of Senior Services (source 1), SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (source 4)
Free help
Free help with this in Alabama
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Alabama
Free Medicare counseling in another state
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Sources
- Alabama Department of Senior Services, Alabama's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Administration for Community Living, State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- SHIP National Technical Assistance Center, About SHIPs. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- SHIP National Technical Assistance Center, Alabama SHIP. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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