Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Montana. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Free Medicare counseling
Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): free Medicare counseling in Montana
Montana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, called SHIP, gives free, independent and confidential help with Medicare. The Montana Office on Aging runs it through local Area Agencies on Aging.
SHIP is not tied to the insurance industry, and its counselors are not licensed to sell insurance.
How to apply in Montana
- By phone
- 1-800-551-3191
- In person
- Call the toll-free number. Staff will connect you with the Area Agency on Aging for your county and a local SHIP counselor. If you can't get out, a counselor will meet you in your home.
Who may qualify in Montana
| Who may get help | Anyone with Medicare, and their family and caregivers |
|---|
Good to know
- There is no cost to use SHIP services.
- shiphelp.org lists 406-444-4077 for Montana. The state page shows that as the Senior and Long Term Care Division's number, not a toll-free SHIP line.
- The SHIP National Technical Assistance Center lists this program as the state's SHIP.
Sources: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (source 1), SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (source 4)
Free help
Free help with this in Montana
Aging Services Bureau
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Montana
Free Medicare counseling in another state
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Sources
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, State Health Insurance Assistance 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, Montana SHIP. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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