I am about to turn 65 and could sure use some help. I have lots of questions about the new Medi-care drug benefit and all the changes coming in a few years. I also want to find out what all Medicare covers and what my best options are. Do you know where can I get some health insurance advice without being told to read another Medicare manual?

Medicare Nutty

Dear Nutty,

I have a great solution. It’s called SHIP, also known as the State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Programs. Available nationwide, SHIP offers free one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families.

Here’s how it works.

Through grants directed to states, SHIPs provide free health insurance counseling and assistance by telephone or face-to-face interactive sessions, public education presentations and programs, and media activities. There are currently SHIPs in all 50 states plus Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

SHIP Services Specially-trained SHIP counselors offer information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families on a wide range of Medicare and Medicaid, and Medigap matters, including, Medicare+Choice health plan op-tions, long-term care insurance and preventive care. Counselors have direct access to detailed state and federal Medicare information that can:

• Inform you on the new Medicare reform changes and prescription drug benefit, and help you review and understand your options.

• Help you understand the Original Medicare benefits by explaining which services are covered under Parts A and B and your Medicare Summary notice.

• Help you make informed choices about Me-dicare coverage options, including the Medicare+ Choice options, soon to be called Medicare Advantage.

• Provide assistance and information on Medicare claims and billing problems as well as Medicare appeals and assist with appeals paperwork.

• Help you select a Medigap insurance policy by explaining the benefits offered under each plan, what they cost, and provide you with a list of companies that sell Medigap plans.

• Inform you about eligibility for prescription drug programs and programs that pay Medicare deductibles, co-payments, and Part B premiums.

• Provide information on the many public benefit programs for those with limited income and assets.

• Help you understand your Medicare rights and how to submit a complaint about medical care or treatment.

• Inform you about Medicare fraud and abuse.

SHIP Counselors

SHIPs for the most part are made up of volunteers supported by local sponsoring organizations. Paid staff manage these local programs and also serve as SHIP counselors. Under the direction and support of state program directors and trainers, SHIP counselors receive extensive training and continuous on-golng information updates about Medicare and other health insurance topics.

Currently, SHIP has around 1,100 sponsoring or-ganizations nationwide supporting over 12,000 coun-selors and staff. Last year alone, the SHIPs served over 3 million Medicare beneficiaries, with about 2.5 million of those served through one-on-one, in-person or telephone counseling sessions, and ap-proximately 500,000 served through SHIP presentations and public education programs.

Savvy Note: Contact SHIP if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.

How To Find Your SHIP

For more information or to locate your state or local SHIP visit the Medicare Website at www me-dicare.govIContactsIRelatedIShips. asp or call Medi-care at 1-800-633-4227. Some states will have a different name for their SHIP program, but they usually cover the same basic services. Always ask for your State Health Insurance Counseling Program.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org.