State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Maryland. 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 Maryland
Maryland's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, called SHIP, gives free, unbiased and expert guidance on Medicare. The Maryland Department of Aging runs it through local offices.
SHIP does not sell insurance, and calls are free and confidential.
How to apply in Maryland
- By phone
- 1-800-243-3425
- In person
- Maryland has local SHIP offices that give one-on-one help. The state's SHIP page lists the phone number for each county office.
Who may qualify in Maryland
| 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: Maryland Department of Aging (source 1), SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (source 4)
Free help
Free help with this in Maryland
Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Maryland
Free Medicare counseling in another state
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Sources
- Maryland Department of Aging, 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, Maryland SHIP. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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