17 Resources
Official Massachusetts 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. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. Open at no cost to Massachusetts seniors and the families supporting them.
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. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Open at...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Official federal Medicaid information. Eligibility, benefits, and state Medicaid program directory. 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. 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
Free unbiased Medicare counseling in every state. Find your state's SHIP for one-on-one help. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors...
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. 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 of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Legal advocacy for Medicare rights, especially appeals and complex coverage issues. 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. Many users come away with a $40–200/month reduction in Part D drug costs they didn't know they qualified for. Open at no cost to Massachusetts seniors and the families supporting them.
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. 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. Free, confidential, and available to any...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Empowers seniors to detect, prevent, and report Medicare fraud. Free help in every state. 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. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. 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. 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, confidential, and available to any Massachusetts resident who needs the...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Medicaid programs that help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for those with 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. 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
Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans by your prescriptions and pharmacies. 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. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Free, confidential, and available to any Massachusetts...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace — for those not yet 65 or covering family members. 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. A neutral alternative to insurance brokers — no plan is recommended for commission. Free, confidential, and available to any Massachusetts resident who needs...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
CMS — federal agency that runs Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Policy and updates. 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, confidential, and available to any Massachusetts resident who needs the information.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NCOA's senior-focused Medicare planning hub with checklists and webinars. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. 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. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Health Insurance Assistance Program for Massachusetts. Free unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling. Find your local SHIP via shiphelp.org. 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. Open at no cost to...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official Massachusetts 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. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Open at no cost to Massachusetts...
Statewide · Varies
Massachusetts SMP — helps seniors detect and report Medicare fraud and errors. 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. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Free, confidential, and available to any Massachusetts resident who needs the information.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website