One of the key agencies the Ombudsman Program works with, and often refers individuals to, is the West Virginia State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) which is a program of the WV Bureau of Senior Services.  It is housed at the Bureau’s main office in Charleston and in many county senior centers throughout WV.   SHIP is a federally funded program which “provides free, objective and confidential help to West Virginia Medicare beneficiaries.”   SHIP counselors provide information about:

• Medicare eligibility and benefits,
• Medicare prescription drug plan and Medicare savings plans,
• Medigap (Medicare supplemental plans),
• Medicare Advantage plans,
• Long-term care insurance plans,
• Durable medical equipment suppliers,
• Preventive services,
• Hospitals,
• Nursing home and home health care provider comparisons,
• Medicare fraud,
• How to order a new Medicare card, and
• How to find a doctor.

Their website is very informative and includes Medicare Supplement Plans and Monthly Rate comparisons which are updated regularly, Medicare costs for Parts A, B and D and a direct link to the Nursing Home Compare website which allows the reader the chance to see how a nursing home has been rated in comparisons to other nursing homes in that area.  The state SHIP office can be reached by phone at 304-558-3317 or 877-987-4463.