Indiana SHIP Medicare Counseling: Free Help With Benefits and Enrollment

What Indiana SHIP Does

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) operates under Indiana's Department of Insurance and provides free, one-on-one Medicare counseling. SHIP counselors are trained volunteers — not insurance agents — who have no financial incentive to steer you toward any particular plan or product.

SHIP can help with:

• Explaining the differences between QMB, SLMB, QI, and full Medicaid
• Reviewing whether your income and assets fall within Indiana's MSP limits
• Comparing Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plan options
• Understanding notices from DFR, CMS, or Social Security
• Navigating Extra Help and HoosierRx eligibility

SHIP publishes accurate annual income and asset limit charts for Indiana's programs, including the state's expanded thresholds (150% FPL for QMB, 170% for SLMB, 185% for QI). Their materials are one of the most reliable free resources for current-year eligibility numbers.

What SHIP Can't Do

SHIP has real limitations that matter if you're managing a parent's MSP application:

SHIP volunteers cannot act as your authorized representative with DFR. They can explain the process, review your documents, and walk you through the portal — but they can't manage your case with DFR on your behalf. For that, you can appoint an authorized representative using State Form 55366.

SHIP doesn't process applications. DFR handles all MSP applications. SHIP counselors advise, but the actual filing, verification submission, and eligibility determination happen through DFR.

Appointment availability is limited. SHIP counselors are volunteers, and demand peaks during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 through December 7). If you need help with an MSP application in November, expect longer wait times for an appointment.

How to Reach Indiana SHIP

• Phone: 1-800-452-4800 (Indiana toll-free)
• Online: in.gov/ship
• In person: Local SHIP offices are often co-located with Area Agencies on Aging across Indiana

SHIP appointments are available by phone, in person, and in some locations by video call. The service is completely free and there is no income requirement to use it.

When to Use SHIP vs. When to Use DFR

Use SHIP when you need advice — understanding your options, checking eligibility numbers, comparing Part D plans, or making sense of a confusing notice.

Use DFR when you need action — filing the MSP application, submitting verification documents, checking application status, or filing an appeal. DFR's direct line is 1-800-403-0864 and the portal is fssabenefits.in.gov.

The two work best together: SHIP helps you understand what you're eligible for, then you apply through DFR with that knowledge.

The Indiana Medicare Savings Programs Guide bridges both functions — it provides SHIP-level education on how the programs work alongside DFR-level practical tools for managing the application, renewal, and appeal processes yourself.

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