17 Resources
Official Ohio 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. Open at no cost to Ohio 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. 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. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Official federal Medicaid information. Eligibility, benefits, and state Medicaid program directory. 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. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
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. 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 of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
National nonprofit helping older adults and people with disabilities navigate Medicare. Free helpline 1-800-333-4114. 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. Free, confidential, and available to any Ohio resident who needs the...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Legal advocacy for Medicare rights, especially appeals and complex coverage issues. 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. 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. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. Free, confidential, and available to any Ohio resident who needs the...
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. 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 service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Social Security program helping pay Medicare prescription drug costs for limited income. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. 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. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
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. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. Free, confidential, and available to any Ohio resident who needs...
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. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. A neutral alternative to insurance brokers — no plan is recommended for commission. 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. 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 of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
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. 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 caregivers.
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. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Open at no cost to Ohio seniors and the...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Health Insurance Assistance Program for Ohio. 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. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official Ohio Medicaid program. Eligibility, applications, and benefits information. 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...
Statewide · Varies
Ohio 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. 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.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website