Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Illinois. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Free Medicare counseling
Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP): free Medicare counseling in Illinois
Illinois's Senior Health Insurance Program, called SHIP, is a free statewide health insurance counseling service for people with Medicare and their caregivers.
The Illinois Department on Aging runs it. Call the Senior HelpLine to reach SHIP.
How to apply in Illinois
- By phone
- 1-800-252-8966
- In person
- SHIP has sites around the state where you can get help with Medicare. The Illinois Department on Aging website lists SHIP volunteers by county. The relay number is 711.
Who may qualify in Illinois
| Who may get help | Anyone with Medicare, and their family and caregivers |
|---|
Good to know
- There is no cost to use SHIP services.
- You can also email aging.ship@illinois.gov.
- The SHIP National Technical Assistance Center lists this program as the state's SHIP.
Sources: Illinois Department on Aging (source 1), SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (source 4)
Free help
Free help with this in Illinois
Illinois Department on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Illinois
Free Medicare counseling in another state
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Sources
- Illinois Department on Aging, Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) (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, Illinois SHIP. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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