Medicare Help

Medicare.gov

This website offers thorough explanations about the Medicare program, updates on changes and answers to frequently asked questions. It also offers Medicare & You for download to your computer, as an e-book reader or as an audio podcast. You also can request that information be mailed to you on an audio CD or in print form, which is also available in large print and braille formats. This reference has everything you need to know about Medicare and supplemental policies, along with charts that allow you to compare and contrast parts, policies and benefits.

800-MEDICARE

Call this toll-free helpline to speak with someone trained to help you with any Medicare question or issue.

Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)

NCDOI.com/SHIIP 855-408-1212 (toll-free)

Each county in North Carolina has its own SHIIP counselors specially trained to help you with your Medicare questions. Contact information for some of the SHIIP programs in our area:

Buncombe County

COABC.org/Benefits 828-277-8288 (ask for SHIIP help) Council on Aging of Buncombe County

Haywood County

MountainProjects.org/Senior-Services 828-356-2800 (ask for SHIIP help) Mountain Projects, Inc./ Senior Resource Center

Henderson County

COAHC.org/Resources LandofSky.org/SHIIP.html 828-692-4203 (ask for SHIIP help) Council on Aging for Henderson County

Madison County

MadisonCountyNC.gov/ Events-and-Resources.html 828-398-7700 Madison County Department of Community Services

Polk County

PolkNC.org/ The_Meeting_Place_Senior_Center.php 828-894-0001 (ask for SHIIP help) The Meeting Place/ Polk County Senior Services

Rutherford County

RutherfordCountyNC.gov/Departments/ Senior_Center/index.php 828-287-6409 (ask for SHIIP help) Rutherford County Senior Center

Transylvania County

Transylvania.CES.NCSU.edu/ SHIIP-The-Seniors-Health-Insurance-InformationProgram 828-884-3109 (ask for SHIIP help) Transylvania County Cooperative Extension

Yancey County

Main.NC.US/Yancey/YCSC.htm 828-682-6011 (ask for SHIIP help) Yancey County Committee on Aging /Yancey County Senior Center

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

GetCareSC.com/Guide/InsuranceCounseling-MedicareMedicaid 800-868-9095 (toll-free)

South Carolina has implemented the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) – also called the Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referrals for Elders (I-Care) program – to help people applying for Medicare and Medicaid. SHIP is a free health benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers.

Spartanburg County

SCACOG.org/Aging-Services 864-242-9733 (ask for SHIP help) Appalachian Council of Governments-Area Agency on Aging