Senior Health Insurance Program

This section provides information about the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), which is a free statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. In this section, visitors will find information and resources about applying for Medicare, sites in their area that they can get assistance applying for Medicare and tools for SHIP sites around the State to utilize in serving Medicare beneficiaries.

Note: The information provided in the Fact Sheets was developed to provide consumers with general information and guidance about insurance coverages and laws. It is not intended to provide regulated entities (insurance industry) with a formal, definitive description or interpretation of Department policy. For specific Department policy on any issue, regulated entities (insurance industry) should contact the Department.

To contact SHIP, please call (800) 252-8966 or email AGING.SHIP@illinois.gov.

General Information

• NEW! How SHIP Helped Me
  Take a look at these testimonials where individuals talk about how the SHIP program's in-person assistance was essential for understanding the complexities of Medicare and making good choices and also how being educated by SHIP helped them save on their health care costs.
  • "Before the help that I received here, it was like I was just a ball being thrown around."
  • "We would be lost without this program."
  • "If this service were not available, I think that I would have been in worse shape than I am now."
  • "They make it easy. That's the beauty of it."
  • "You shouldn't have to decide between food or medication...the Medicare Counselors help get you the cheapest program, the program that works best for you."
    

• Medicare Basics in American Sign Language Videos:
• An Overview of Medicare
• Medicare has Four Parts
• Medicare Advantage Plans
• Summary of Costs
  
  
• Find a SHIP Counseling Site Near You
• ALL Counties

Go to Find Health and Drug Plans to find a provider in your area.

• SHIP Brochure
• Programa De Seguro De Salud Para Personas Mayores (SHIP)
• Get Covered Illinois

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment 2018

• Plan Finder Update
• Guide to Consumer Mailings
• Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Teaching Materials
• Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage (Part C)
• Medicare Advantage Plans Overview
• 2019 Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs)
• Medicare Part C and D Enrollment Periods
• 2018 Medicare Part D Chart
• Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans Special Enrollment Period
• 2018 Federal Poverty Level Percentages
  
  

2018 Drug Plan Information

• Illinois Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans
• Illinois Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)      
• Illinois Special Needs Plans (SNP)
• 2018 Extra Help Chart Income & Asset Limits
• Multilingual Extra Help Flyer
• Instructions to Help You Use the Medicare.gov Plan Finder Tool
  
  

2018-2019 Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Guide

• Chicago Area | Northern Central Area | Southern Area

Medicaid Related Information

• Poverty Guidelines
• 2018 Spousal Impoverishment Guidelines
• Medicaid Spenddown Requirements
• 2018 Medicare Savings Programs Information
• Programas de Ahorros de Medicare 2018