Where can I get free unbiased Medicare help?
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward
Published by Senior Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) - federally grant-funded counselors who give free, unbiased, one-on-one Medicare help with no sales motive; find yours at shiphelp.org or 877-839-2675 (names vary by state, e.g., OSHIIP in Ohio, HICAP in California). You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24/7, or compare plans yourself at Medicare.gov. SHIP help is especially valuable during Open Enrollment (Oct. 15-Dec. 7), since plan costs and benefits change every year.
What the government has said, on the record
“SHIPs provide factual and unbiased information, empowering consumers to make educated and individualized decisions regarding their health and prescription drug coverage”
— Christina "Chris" Reeg, Director, Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, Ohio Department of Insurance, Written testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, hearing "Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment: Cracking Down on Deceptive Practices and Improving Senior Experiences", 2023-10-18 (source)
Editor's note: Source-type flag: speaker is a state (not federal) government official, testifying before a Senate committee (testimony hosted on finance.senate.gov). Her testimony describes SHIPs as federal grant programs providing objective counseling but does not itself use the word "free" or mention 1-800-MEDICARE (those points are sourced to ACL/CMS in the answer). SHIP program names and hotline hours vary by state.
Who said this
Christina "Chris" Reeg — Director, Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, Ohio Department of Insurance (current).
Also asked as
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Last verified: 2026-07-18