Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) - The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS), in partnership with the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy (HCOP), will continue to expand the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) throughout the 2025-2030 grant period. This grant, awarded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), supports a network of SHIP staff, trained counselors, and volunteers who provide accurate, unbiased health insurance information to Medicare beneficiaries. The Alabama SHIP program’s goal/mission is to “empower, educate, and support Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers by offering objective outreach, person-centered counseling, and training enabling beneficiaries to make informed health insurance decisions that enhance access to care and benefits.” Alabama SHIP will follow ACL’s leadership by applying the strategic themes as outlined in the Strategic Plan. Objectives to meet the goal/mission are to: • Continue to increase and sustain staff knowledge about all things Medicare. • Increase the knowledge base of all Medicare beneficiaries. • Continue to increase public awareness. • Increase SHIP outreach and education to those who are in the greatest need of SHIP services. • Increase program knowledge and assistance/counseling skills on all levels. • Enhance team member management by ensuring complete oversight of recruitment and training. • Continue innovation attempts within the SHIP program to better serve Medicare-eligible individuals. • Utilize pharmacy students and local pharmacies to provide Medicare beneficiaries, especially those who are in rural and underserved areas, with Medicare counseling. Finally, the expected outcomes will be to increase data results in all five (5) Performance Measures by 2.5% in each category.
