17 Resources
Official Texas 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. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. Free of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
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. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
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. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. 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
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. 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. 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. No cost to older adults or the people...
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. 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
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. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Free, confidential, and available to any...
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. 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. 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. 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. Free of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
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. 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. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
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. 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 service; donations support but never gate...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace — for those not yet 65 or covering family members. 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. 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. 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. 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 Texas seniors and the families supporting 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. 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 of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Health Insurance Assistance Program for Texas. 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. 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 service; donations support but never gate access.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official Texas 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. 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 Texas resident...
Statewide · Varies
Texas SMP — helps seniors detect and report Medicare fraud and errors. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. 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 Texas seniors and the families supporting them.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website