Alyssa Lane
The Maine State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free and confidential support to older people and those with disabilities who have Medicare or are expecting to have it soon. SHIP counselors are trained to provide information about Medicare and other health insurance issues, such as understanding coverage options, comparing supplemental policies and plans, and reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses. They do not sell insurance or recommend policies. Additionally, Maine offers resources like CoverME.gov, an official Health Insurance Marketplace, and the Maine Bureau of Insurance (BOI), which provides assistance and a Guide to Health Insurance for small business owners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is SHIP? | The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a health insurance assistance program funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal Medicare agency. |
| Who is SHIP for? | SHIP services are free, confidential, and available to older people and people who have Medicare because of a disability. |
| What does SHIP do? | SHIP provides information about Medicare and other health insurance issues, including programs that help lower the cost of prescription drugs and other out-of-pocket medical expenses. SHIP counselors do not sell insurance or recommend policies. |
| How to contact SHIP? | SHIP services are sponsored in Maine by the Office of Aging and Disability Services, Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging, and Legal Services for Maine Elders, Inc. The phone number for the Senior Medicare Patrol program is 1-877-353-3771. |
| Other Maine health insurance resources | The Maine Bureau of Insurance (BOI) provides assistance to consumers with health insurance questions or problems. Contact them at 1-800-300-5000. The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services provides information about health coverage for veterans. CoverME.gov is Maine's official Health Insurance Marketplace, where residents can compare and apply for health insurance plans. Consumers for Affordable Health Care can be reached at 1-800-965-7476 for help understanding coverage options. |
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What You'll Learn
Maine's SHIP services are free and confidential
Maine's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free and confidential support to older people and people with disabilities who have Medicare or will soon be on Medicare. SHIP's trained health insurance counselors are available throughout Maine to address your queries about Medicare and other health insurance matters. They do not sell insurance or recommend policies. Instead, they educate consumers about Medicare and MaineCare, helping them identify and reduce errors, fraud, waste, and abuse.
SHIP counselors can help you understand your Medicare benefits, answer questions about medical bills, insurance claims, and Medicare notices, and provide information about programs that can lower the cost of prescription drugs and other out-of-pocket medical expenses. They can also assist you in enrolling in Medicare Savings Programs and refer you to other relevant agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Social Security Administration, and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Additionally, SHIP offers comparison information about Medicare supplemental policies and plans, as well as national and state-specific programs, including prescription drug discount programs. They provide written materials, support, and follow-up services. SHIP counselors can also discuss your rights and options for appeals and quality of care in Medicare and MaineCare.
The Maine SHIP is funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal Medicare agency, and sponsored by the Office of Aging and Disability Services, Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging, and Legal Services for Maine Elders, Inc. If you need assistance, you can contact SHIP through their helpline at 1-877-353-3771 or reach out to your local Aging and Disability Resource Center.
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SHIP counsellors do not sell insurance
Maine residents can seek assistance with health insurance queries from the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). This program is funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal Medicare agency. SHIP services are free and confidential, and they are available to older people and people with Medicare due to a disability.
SHIP counsellors are trained health insurance counsellors who can provide information about Medicare and other health insurance issues. They can help you understand your Medicare benefits, answer questions about medical bills, insurance claims, and Medicare notices, and provide information about programs that can help lower the cost of prescription drugs and other out-of-pocket medical expenses. SHIP counsellors can also help you enrol in Medicare Savings Programs and refer you to other relevant agencies, such as the Social Security Administration and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
While SHIP counsellors can provide a lot of support and guidance, it is important to note that they do not sell insurance or recommend policies. Their role is to educate and assist individuals in understanding their options and making informed decisions about their health insurance choices.
If you are specifically looking to purchase insurance, there are other avenues to explore. For instance, the Maine Bureau of Insurance (BOI) provides assistance to consumers with health insurance questions and problems. They can be contacted at 1-800-300-5000, and they can help answer your questions about different types of coverage. Additionally, HealthCare.gov offers a Plan Finder tool that allows you to compare health care coverage options in your area.
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Medicare Savings Programs can help with out-of-pocket expenses
If you have low income, Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can help cover some of your Medicare costs, including out-of-pocket expenses. MSPs are special benefit programs sponsored by state Medicaid agencies. They are designed to relieve some (or all) out-of-pocket Medicare expenses for people with limited means. MSP eligibility is income-based, and guidelines may vary from state to state. For instance, income limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. You may qualify in other states for these programs even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed.
There are four different MSPs, each providing varying levels of support:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): Helps pay for Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Helps pay for Part B premiums.
- Qualifying Individual (QI): Helps pay for Part B premiums.
- Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI): Helps pay for Part A premiums.
Enrollment in an MSP can save you a significant amount of money each year. For instance, three of the four MSPs cover the Medicare Part B premium, which in 2025 is $185 a month for most people. Enrollment in an MSP for that year would save you $2,220. Additionally, enrollment in an MSP automatically qualifies you for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy, helping to further reduce out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.
In Maine, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free and confidential support to older people and those with disabilities who have Medicare. SHIP counselors can help you understand your Medicare benefits, answer questions about medical bills, insurance claims, and notices, and provide information about programs that can help lower out-of-pocket medical expenses, including prescription drug discount programs. They can also help you enroll in Medicare Savings Programs.
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Maine's Bureau of Insurance provides a guide for small business owners
The Maine Bureau of Insurance (BOI) provides a comprehensive Guide to Health Insurance specifically tailored for small business owners. This guide is designed to assist small businesses in navigating the complexities of health insurance plans and making informed decisions regarding employee health benefits.
The BOI's Guide to Health Insurance is a valuable resource for small business owners who want to provide their employees with health coverage. While businesses with 1 to 49 employees are not mandated to offer insurance, many small business owners recognize the importance of offering health benefits to attract and retain talent. The guide helps business owners understand the various options available in the Maine health insurance market, enabling them to make informed choices that meet the needs of their business and employees.
The guide covers a range of topics, including fully-insured, community-rated small group comprehensive health insurance plans. It also provides information on the Clear Choice plan design, which offers consistent cost-sharing across different insurers, allowing businesses to focus on comparing benefit differences and the quality of each plan. Additionally, the BOI offers resources to help small businesses understand the rate of consumer complaints received by health insurance companies, aiding businesses in making informed decisions about their insurance providers.
To assist small businesses further, the BOI provides information about the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) tax credit. This tax credit is available to businesses with fewer than 25 employees, helping to offset the cost of providing health benefits. The CoverME.gov website, Maine's official Health Insurance Marketplace, offers a broker locator tool to help businesses explore their options and compare costs between different plans, including Small Group Plans and Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA).
Moreover, the BOI guide complements other initiatives in Maine aimed at making health insurance more accessible and affordable. MaineCare provides free or low-cost health insurance based on factors such as income, age, or medical condition. Additionally, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free and confidential support to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and Medicare beneficiaries. SHIP counselors provide unbiased information about Medicare, help with understanding benefits and claims, and assist in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses.
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CoverME.gov helps individuals and families find affordable health insurance
Maine residents can turn to CoverME.gov to find affordable health insurance coverage. CoverME.gov is Maine's official Health Insurance Marketplace, where residents can compare qualified health insurance plans and apply for financial assistance to lower the cost of coverage.
CoverME.gov is designed to help individuals and families find affordable health insurance plans that meet their needs. It offers a comprehensive set of benefits, including the opportunity to compare different plans and their respective costs. This allows users to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.
The platform also provides financial assistance to help lower the cost of health insurance. This assistance has recently been increased by the federal government, meaning more people than ever are eligible for support. By enrolling through CoverME.gov, individuals and families may qualify for Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) to reduce their monthly health insurance payments. These tax credits are based on family size and income and are available to those who don't have access to affordable health coverage through their employer.
Additionally, CoverME.gov offers special enrollment periods for those who have experienced significant life events, such as having a baby, getting married, losing coverage through an employer, or moving to Maine. This allows individuals and families to enroll in health insurance outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period, which typically begins on November 1.
For those with Medicare insurance or expecting to have it soon, Maine's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free and confidential support. SHIP counselors provide information about Medicare benefits, supplemental policies, and programs that help lower prescription drug costs and other out-of-pocket medical expenses. They also assist with understanding medical bills, insurance claims, and Medicare notices. SHIP services are available to older people and those with Medicare due to a disability.
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Frequently asked questions
SHIP stands for State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
SHIP provides free and confidential health insurance assistance to older people and people with Medicare due to a disability. SHIP counselors can help answer questions about medical bills, insurance claims, and Medicare notices, as well as provide information about Medicare and other health insurance issues. They do not sell insurance or recommend policies.
The Maine SHIP is sponsored by the Office of Aging and Disability Services, Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging, and Legal Services for Maine Elders, Inc. You can contact them at 1-877-353-3771 or visit their website for more information.
In addition to SHIP, Maine residents can refer to the following resources for health insurance assistance:
- CoverME.gov: Maine's official Health Insurance Marketplace, where residents can compare qualified health insurance plans and apply for help to lower the cost of coverage.
- Maine Bureau of Insurance: Provides assistance to consumers with health insurance questions or problems. Contact them at 1-800-300-5000.
- Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services: Offers information about health coverage for veterans.
- Consumers for Affordable Health Care: A helpline that provides support for understanding coverage options (1-800-965-7476).
