State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

Personalized Help with Medicare, Medicaid, and More


Health insurance can be confusing—but you don’t have to figure it out alone. At the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging, our SHIP team is here to guide you every step of the way.


Andrea Labor, our SHIP Regional Coordinator, has been helping older Vermonters navigate Medicare and other health coverage for over ten years. She leads a compassionate team of professionals who are trained and certified to offer the same knowledgeable, unbiased support that she’s become known for.


We don’t just hand you a brochure or send you to a website. We sit down with you, one-on-one, and help you understand your options so you can make informed decisions.


We can help with:

  • Medicare: Understanding benefits, comparing Advantage and Medigap plans, and making changes during Open Enrollment
  • Medicaid: Eligibility guidance and application assistance
  • Medicare Savings Programs: Help applying for programs that reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs
  • VPharm: Vermont’s prescription drug assistance program
  • Extra Help: Applying for Social Security assistance with drug costs
  • Billing or coverage problems: We help resolve issues and advocate on your behalf

We work for you—not insurance companies. Our guidance is always honest, clear, and free of charge.


Ready to talk?

Call our Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 or email info@nekcouncil.org to connect with our SHIP team.
The NEK Council on Aging offers free, health-insurance counseling for Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, their families, and disabled adults younger than 65 through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Need Help Reviewing or

Changing Your Medicare Plan?


We’re here to help you every step of the way.


If you're planning to review or change your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan this year, one of the most important first steps is creating your personal Medicare.gov account. But you don’t have to do it alone—the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging can help you get set up, walk you through the process, and make sure you’re ready for Open Enrollment.


Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, and it's important to review your plan every year. Premiums, drug coverage, and plan availability often change, and if you don’t review your options, you could end up paying more or losing coverage for medications you need.


That’s why we encourage everyone to connect with us early—we’ll help you:

  • Create your Medicare.gov account
  • Review your current plan
  • Compare available options tailored to your medications and needs
  • Make changes confidently before the December 7 deadline


Don’t wait. After December 7, it’s usually too late to make changes.


Need help getting started? Call the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging at (800) 642-5119 or email info@nekcouncil.org. We're ready to assist you.

  Resources: 

Click here to start your own Medicare.gov account
Get free, unbiased Medicare Help here. SHIP can answer your questions, compare plans, and guide you through Medicare choices - no sales, just trusted advice. Click here for shiphelp.org Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) handles all reports on Medicare fraud or abuse

Need More 
Information?

Our counselors can explain your options, assist you in comparing plans, and help you understand how Medicare works with other plans. 

To speak with a counselor, fill out this form, call 1-800-642-5119 or e-mail us atinfo@NEKCouncil.org. Please do not include personal or health-related information. 

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