Mission Statement

To educate the citizens of Illinois about Medicare, Medicare supplement, Medicare managed care and long term care insurance. Individuals receive this information through public forums, presentations to various community organizations, senior citizen centers, radio, television and various publications. To provide accurate objective counseling, assistance and advocacy relating to Medicare, private health insurance and related health coverage plans. Counseling of the individual client focuses on specific information or assistance provided in one-on-one confidential sessions with certified counselors. Individual counseling sessions provide an effective way to objectively approach specific problems with claims and provide insurance policy analyses.

Program Description:

The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) was initiated in the fall of 1988 by what is now known as the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Insurance. SHIP has 183 offices throughout the state staffed by a total of 675 volunteer counselors. All offices are volunteer-based and supported by local sponsoring organizations that offer services to Medicare beneficiaries. SHIP also provides a toll-free line for the Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers.

2006 Program Statistics:

• SHIP counselors contributed over 16,000 volunteer hours in more than 22,000 counseling sessions;
• SHIP counselors responded to approximately 43,000 telephone calls on the toll-free 800 line;
• Counselors saved Medicare beneficiaries $2,878,000 through one-on-one counseling; and
• More than 1.8 million people reached by SHIP staff and counselors through public presentations, health fairs, cable television, radio shows and/or website events.

 

Program Accomplishments:

1. Produce and distribute Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Guides, an annual comparison of Medicare supplement plans and premiums;
2. Participate in the Illinois Partners for Medicare Consumers, a group of contractors and grantees of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, dedicated to educating and advocating for beneficiaries;
3. Produce a Prescription Drug Information Guide to educate and assist consumers concerned about the coverage and costs of prescription drugs;
4. Partner with State Employee's Retirement System by participating in 41 statewide workshops annually.

Additional Information:

• SHIP received the 1997 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services national award for "sustained achievement and excellence in providing insurance counseling and assistance to the citizens of Illinois."
• SHIP works closely with the Illinois Department on Aging to provide access to SHIP counseling services through the Area Agency on Aging offices throughout the state.
• SHIP outreaches to Medicare beneficiaries by participating in health fairs, senior fairs, the Illinois State Fair and the Governor's Conference on Aging.

Contact:

Yvonne Clearwater, SHIP Director
Illinois Department Financial and Professional Regulation
Division of Insurance
320 W. Washington Street • Springfield, IL 62767-0001 (217) 524-1631 • (800) 548-9034 • TDD (217) 524-4872