Medicare Assistance

Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

The Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. A SHIP counselor can help you navigate the many parts of Medicare and the benefits that can help save on your healthcare costs. AgeGuide and its partner agencies have SHIP counselors ready to answer your questions.

Share your contact information below and a SHIP counselor will follow up with you. Feel free to enter your questions for the SHIP counselor.

Join Our Team of SHIP Volunteers!

Are you looking for a way to make a positive impact in your community? We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our team and help us achieve our mission. The Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program’s (SHIP) mission is to provide local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. Training to become a SHIP Counselor is available throughout the summer months and in areas across Illinois. Sign up for volunteer training today!

As a SHIP Counselor you can:

Make a difference in the lives of those we serve
Build valuable skills and experience
Meet new people and make new friends
Gain a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction
Help strengthen and improve our community

SHIP Counseling includes one-on-one sessions with Medicare beneficiaries where you can discuss their plan options and helping to understand how their health coverage works. Also, you have the opportunity to complete community outreach by attending fairs and giving informational presentations.

To learn more about our volunteer opportunities and how you can get involved, contact us at (630) 293-5990. Join us today and help make a difference in our community!

Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Ending

Starting May 1st, Illinois residents enrolled in Medicaid will be required to recertify your eligibility for Medicaid benefits. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will send recertification letters to Medicaid beneficiaries over the next 12 months to complete this process. You may not receive a letter in the month of May but it’s important to update your information with HFS to ensure you receive the necessary information when it is your turn.

Here’s what you can do now:

Update your address with HFS
Look up your renewal date on abe.illinois.gov or by calling (800) 843-6154
Complete and mail in your recertification as soon as possible
Or get help to complete your recertification

For help with your Medicaid renewal, call your local SHIP site or HFS at (800) 843-6154.

Contact your local Senior Health Insurance Program site to apply!

2023 Medicare Costs

Check in on the Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayments that are changing in 2023.

2023 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles, and Cost-Sharing Amounts

2024 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you can change your plan or drop your plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period that runs from January 1 to March 31, 2024.

Are You New to Medicare?

Get Started with Medicare Video

Comenzar con Medicare

Additional Medicare Resources

Medicare How-To Series (English)

Medicare How-To Series (Spanish)

Medicare How-To Series (Polish)

Medicare How-To Series (Chinese)

Medicare How-To Series (Hindi)

Medicare Series (Urdu)

Medicare Series (Tagalog)

Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Guide

Medicare supplemental policies help pay for the gaps in coverage you can experience when using your Medicare coverage.

Chicago Area

Grundy, Kankakee and Kendall Counties

Want to learn more about Medicare?

Enrolling in Medicare can seem intimidating. AgeGuide’s new Medicare How-To Series on the AgeGuide Learning Center walks you through parts of the Medicare enrollment process and how to sign up. Videos are accessible in English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, and Hindi. Visit our YouTube channel to begin today!

AgeGuide’s Medicare Minute series has short, informational videos on Medicare and Medicaid. Check it out!