Arkansas SHIIP: Free Medicare Counseling and What It Can't Do

What SHIIP Is

SHIIP — the Senior Health Insurance Information Program — is Arkansas's official State Health Insurance Assistance Program, run by the Arkansas Insurance Department. It provides free, confidential, one-on-one Medicare counseling through trained volunteers statewide.

The program's main office is at 1 Commerce Way, Little Rock, AR 72202. You can reach them at 1-800-224-6330 or 501-371-2782.

What SHIIP Counselors Can Do

SHIIP counselors help with:

• Plan comparisons — comparing Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies, and Part D drug plans side by side
• Open enrollment guidance — walking through options during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7)
• Medicare basics — explaining how Parts A, B, C, and D work together
• Eligibility screening — telling you whether a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help might apply to your situation
• Billing questions — helping you understand a Medicare Summary Notice or a confusing medical bill

The counseling is genuinely independent. SHIIP counselors don't sell insurance, don't earn commissions, and don't steer you toward any particular plan. That separates them from the broker-run "free help" sites that dominate Medicare search results.

What SHIIP Can't Do

SHIIP has real limitations that matter if you're trying to get a parent enrolled in QMB, SLMB, or QI:

• They can't complete your DHS application. SHIIP counselors can tell you about the Medicare Savings Programs, but they can't fill out the state Medicaid paperwork or submit it for you.
• They can't represent you in an appeal. If DHS denies your parent's MSP application or closes their case, SHIIP can't advocate for you at a fair hearing. For legal representation, you'd need Legal Aid of Arkansas (1-800-952-9243) or the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (501-376-3423).
• They can't provide legal advice. Questions about estate recovery, asset structuring, or whether to transfer assets before applying are outside their scope.
• Volunteer capacity is limited. During peak enrollment periods, wait times for appointments can stretch. Rural counties may have fewer available counselors.

When to Call SHIIP vs. When You Need More

Call SHIIP when you need help understanding which Medicare plan option fits your parent's medications and doctors, or when you want a neutral comparison during open enrollment.

You need something beyond SHIIP when you're dealing with the actual DHS application process, document preparation, denied applications, billing disputes with providers who ignore QMB protections, or tracking down a premium refund after MSP approval.

For the step-by-step DHS application process, eligibility worksheets, and dispute tools that go beyond what SHIIP covers, the Arkansas Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide picks up where the counseling session leaves off.

See more Arkansas guides →