18 Resources
Run by the state of South Carolina, Medicare and Medicare Fraud supports older adults with enrollment, plan comparison, Part D drug coverage, appeals, and dual-eligibility help. The agency page lists divisions, regional offices, and how to make a request. Free for eligible older adults and their family caregivers in South Carolina. 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...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official South Carolina State Health Insurance Assistance Program operator. Real state agency providing free Medicare counseling. Verified via shiphelp.org. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. Open at no cost to South Carolina 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. 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. 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
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. 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
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. 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...
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. 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. Free...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Legal advocacy for Medicare rights, especially appeals and complex coverage issues. 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. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. Free, confidential, and available to any South Carolina resident who needs the information.
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. 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. Free, confidential, and available...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Empowers seniors to detect, prevent, and report Medicare fraud. Free help in every state. 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. 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.
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. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Medicaid programs that help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for those with limited income. 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. Many users come away with a $40–200/month reduction in Part D drug costs they didn't know they qualified for. Free service;...
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. 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. Open at no cost to South Carolina seniors and the families...
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. 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. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.
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. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NCOA's senior-focused Medicare planning hub with checklists and webinars. 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. 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
State Health Insurance Assistance Program for South Carolina. 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. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Free of charge...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official South Carolina 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. 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.
Statewide · Varies
South Carolina 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. 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.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website