Jefferson City, Mo – The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) has rebranded Missouri’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program to Missouri SHIP, formerly known as Missouri CLAIM.

“For the past 30 years the department, through the Missouri CLAIM program, has provided valuable assistance to Missourians with Medicare,” said Chlora Lindley-Myers, Director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance and 2023 President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). “Now, as the Missouri SHIP program, we look forward to providing that same valuable service in the future.”

Missouri SHIP offers free assistance to Missourians eligible for Medicare and their caregivers to help consumers choose a plan that best meets their needs. The program also helps Missourians on a limited income determine whether they qualify for a Low-Income Subsidy and/or Medicare Savings Programs to offset the cost of their prescription drugs.

"Since 1993, counselors with Missouri’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program have dedicated themselves to helping Missourians with Medicare save money,” said Scott Miniea, Executive Director of Missouri Connections for Health. “During the most recent Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Period, our counselors helped clients save an average of about $2,000 on their out-of-pocket prescription costs by reviewing their benefits and making fully informed decisions."

Medicare open enrollment is October 15 – December 7 annually. Missourians can seek free and unbiased assistance from Missouri SHIP throughout the year by phone or arrange one-on-one counseling by calling 1-800-390-3330, or visiting missouriship.org.

DCI’s Missouri SHIP program is funded by a federal grant through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), in coordination with Missouri Connections for Health, a nonprofit organization.

DCI is charged with protecting Missouri consumers through oversight of the insurance industry, banks, credit unions, utilities, and various professional licensees operating in the state. For more information about the department, please visit our website at dci.mo.gov.