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GeorgiaCares Program: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 

GeorgiaCares is a public-private partnership, administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS). GeorgiaCares provides free, unbiased and factual information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers with health and drug plans. GeorgiaCares is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Georgia.

GeorgiaCares helps people with Medicare understand their benefits and make informed decisions about health care options.   

  • GeorgiaCares counseling services are free.
  • GeorgiaCares provides non-biased opinions.
  • GeorgiaCares is not affiliated with any insurance company.
  • GeorgiaCares does not sell or solicit any type of insurance.
  • GeorgiaCares counselors can help people with Medicare:
      • Understand your health plan choices
      • Enroll in a Medicare plan that meets your needs
      • Review Medicare Summary Notice(s)
      • Review Explanation of Benefits
      • Sort through medical bills and assist in filing Medicare claims and appeals
      • Help you apply for financial assistance programs to reduce Medicare out-of-pocket expenses
 

"They make it very easy and simplify the whole process."

- Gary Bartle, Medicare Beneficiary
Local assistance is available for health insurance related issues including Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug assistance programs, financial assistance programs, and long-term care insurance. The GeorgiaCares Program is statewide. Services are provided through nine (9) Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), Concerted Services in the Southeast Georgia area, the Senior Citizens Council of Greater Augusta and the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), Georgia, Inc., and the Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) in the Atlanta metro area. For information on one-on-one counseling sessions or community education events in your area, call 1-866-552-4464 (Option 4).


How You Can Help

 Volunteer helping beneficiary

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you interested in helping seniors and individuals with a disability but feel like you don’t have enough time? GeorgiaCares has multiple volunteer opportunities to fit your busy schedule. You can make a difference for people with Medicare. 

Learn more about how you can help

  

 Beneficiaries Sharing Stories

Tell Your Story

Did your recent experience with GeorgiaCares encourage you to take control of your health care? Sharing your story can empower others to make good health care choices and potentially save money on health care costs by contacting GeorgiaCares.

Share your story

Medicare Beneficiaries at a Glance

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a new infographic with summarized information about beneficiaries in the Medicare program. The Medicare Beneficiaries at a Glance infographic includes information on types of Medicare coverage, utilization of healthcare services, average cost for specific services, top chronic conditions, beneficiary satisfaction and access to care, and usual source of care for calendar year 2016. For example, did you know that 3.7 million individuals enrolled in Medicare in 2016? Or that the top chronic condition among Medicare beneficiaries is high blood pressure?
To find these and other statistics, please visit the Medicare Beneficiaries at a Glance Infographic.



News and Updates
Medicare General Enrollment Period: January 1 - March 31

This is the time to enroll in Medicare Parts A and/or B if you did not join when you were first eligible. 

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period: January 1 - March 31
You have an opportunity to switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare during this enrollment period.

G.R.E.A.T. Newsletter
February 2019 -  (Archive)

Medicare Rates for 2019
The Medicare Premiums and Deductible Rates for 2019 are now available.

2019 Medicare & You Handbook
The 2019 Medicare & You Handbook is now available.


GeorgiaCares Outreach Events
Find a Medicare Outreach Event or Presentation in your area.



New Medicare Card

Social Security Numbers will be removed from Medicare cards to prevent fraud, fight identity theft, and keep taxpayer dollars safe. You can see the new card here. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also released information on potential scams related to the new cards. 

Watch the video below for more information.