18 Resources
Run by the state of Maryland, Public Guardianship supports older adults with enrollment, plan comparison, Part D drug coverage, appeals, and dual-eligibility help. The state agency page links to applications, FAQs, and local field offices. Open at no cost to Maryland residents who qualify for the program. 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...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official Maryland State Health Insurance Assistance Program operator. Real state agency providing free Medicare counseling. Verified via shiphelp.org. 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. 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 support but never...
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. Useful for seniors 65+ enrolling for the first time, weighing Original Medicare against Advantage plans, or trying to lower drug costs. 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 of charge — no eligibility paperwork...
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. Open at no cost to Maryland seniors and the families supporting them.
Nationwide · Online
Free unbiased Medicare counseling in every state. Find your state's SHIP for one-on-one help. 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. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. All services free of charge to...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
National nonprofit helping older adults and people with disabilities navigate Medicare. Free helpline 1-800-333-4114. 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. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
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. 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 support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Plain-language guide to Medicare from the Medicare Rights Center. Free questions answered. 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. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Empowers seniors to detect, prevent, and report Medicare fraud. Free help in every state. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. 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. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
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. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. A neutral alternative to insurance brokers — no plan is recommended for commission. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Medicaid programs that help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for those with limited income. 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 prescriptions makes the visit faster. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. All services free of charge to qualifying...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans by your prescriptions and pharmacies. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. 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
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. 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. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
CMS — federal agency that runs Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Policy and updates. 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 service; donations support but never gate access.
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. 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. Free of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Health Insurance Assistance Program for Maryland. Free unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling. Find your local SHIP via shiphelp.org. Built for older adults choosing between Parts A, B, C, and D — especially during the seven-month Initial Enrollment window. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official Maryland Medicaid program. Eligibility, applications, and benefits information. 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. 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.
Statewide · Varies
Maryland SMP — helps seniors detect and report Medicare fraud and errors. 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. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website