Hawaii SHIP

What We Do

The mission of the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is to empower,
educate, and assist Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through objective
outreach, counseling, and training—helping them make informed health insurance decisions that
optimize access to care and benefits.
Hawaii SHIP is a federally funded, volunteer-based program from the Administration for Community
Living (ACL). It is administered by the Hawaii Department of Health, Executive Office on Aging.
Our Medicare-certified counselors provide free, unbiased, local, one-on-one Medicare counseling to
beneficiaries, their loved ones, caregivers, and soon-to-be retirees.
We also offer:
 Free virtual and in-person presentations on Medicare-related topics
 Participation in health fairs and exhibits for older adults and people with disabilities
We’re here to help you navigate Medicare with confidence—at no cost to you!

Who We Are

SHIP started in 1990 to help people with Medicare understand their health insurance options. The
program gives states funding to provide free advice and support to Medicare beneficiaries. Every
state has a SHIP program, as well as four U.S. territories: Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. These programs offer education, counseling, and help with Medicare,
Medicaid, and other health insurance choices.
In 2014, SHIP moved from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to the Administration
for Community Living (ACL). This change made sense because SHIP already worked closely with
ACL’s network of services for older adults and people with disabilities. Today, ACL’s Office of
Healthcare Information and Counseling oversees the SHIP program.

Cause Areas

Kupuna, Special Needs, Gender & Equality, Social Services, Health & Wellness, Community Engagement, Military & Veterans