18 Resources
Medicare — operated by Alaska — handles enrollment, plan comparison, Part D drug coverage, appeals, and dual-eligibility help for residents 60+. The agency page lists divisions, regional offices, and how to make a request. Free for eligible older adults and their family caregivers in Alaska. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official Alaska State Health Insurance Assistance Program operator. Real state agency providing free Medicare counseling. Verified via shiphelp.org. Built for older adults choosing between Parts A, B, C, and D — especially during the seven-month Initial Enrollment window. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official US Medicare site. Compare plans, find providers, understand Parts A/B/C/D, and check coverage. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24/7. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. Open at no cost to Alaska seniors and the families supporting them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Official federal Medicaid information. Eligibility, benefits, and state Medicaid program directory. Built for older adults choosing between Parts A, B, C, and D — especially during the seven-month Initial Enrollment window. Most questions can be answered online or by phone; there's no eligibility screening to call. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Nationwide · Online
Free unbiased Medicare counseling in every state. Find your state's SHIP for one-on-one help. Built for older adults choosing between Parts A, B, C, and D — especially during the seven-month Initial Enrollment window. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
National nonprofit helping older adults and people with disabilities navigate Medicare. Free helpline 1-800-333-4114. Useful for seniors 65+ enrolling for the first time, weighing Original Medicare against Advantage plans, or trying to lower drug costs. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. Many users come away with a $40–200/month reduction in Part D drug costs they didn't know they qualified for. Free service; donations...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Legal advocacy for Medicare rights, especially appeals and complex coverage issues. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. Open at no cost to Alaska seniors and the families supporting them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Plain-language guide to Medicare from the Medicare Rights Center. Free questions answered. Useful for seniors 65+ enrolling for the first time, weighing Original Medicare against Advantage plans, or trying to lower drug costs. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. A neutral alternative to insurance brokers — no plan is recommended for commission. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Empowers seniors to detect, prevent, and report Medicare fraud. Free help in every state. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. Most questions can be answered online or by phone; there's no eligibility screening to call. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Social Security program helping pay Medicare prescription drug costs for limited income. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. Most questions can be answered online or by phone; there's no eligibility screening to call. A neutral alternative to insurance brokers — no plan is recommended for commission. Free, confidential, and available to any Alaska resident who needs the information.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Medicaid programs that help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for those with limited income. Built for older adults choosing between Parts A, B, C, and D — especially during the seven-month Initial Enrollment window. Most questions can be answered online or by phone; there's no eligibility screening to call. Many users come away with a $40–200/month reduction in Part D drug costs they didn't know they qualified for. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans by your prescriptions and pharmacies. Useful for seniors 65+ enrolling for the first time, weighing Original Medicare against Advantage plans, or trying to lower drug costs. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. Many users come away with a $40–200/month reduction in Part D drug costs they didn't know they qualified for. No cost to older adults or the people helping...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace — for those not yet 65 or covering family members. Built for older adults choosing between Parts A, B, C, and D — especially during the seven-month Initial Enrollment window. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. Open at no cost to Alaska seniors and the families supporting them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
CMS — federal agency that runs Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Policy and updates. Useful for seniors 65+ enrolling for the first time, weighing Original Medicare against Advantage plans, or trying to lower drug costs. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NCOA's senior-focused Medicare planning hub with checklists and webinars. Useful for seniors 65+ enrolling for the first time, weighing Original Medicare against Advantage plans, or trying to lower drug costs. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Health Insurance Assistance Program for Alaska. Free unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling. Find your local SHIP via shiphelp.org. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. Free of charge — no eligibility...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official Alaska Medicaid program. Eligibility, applications, and benefits information. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Statewide · Varies
Alaska SMP — helps seniors detect and report Medicare fraud and errors. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. Most questions can be answered online or by phone; there's no eligibility screening to call. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. Free of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website