Guiding You Through Medicare: Local Experts and Free Help

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Guiding You Through Medicare: Local Experts and Free Help

Navigating Medicare can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. Thanks to a dedicated team of local experts, residents of Muskegon, Ottawa, and Oceana counties have access to free, unbiased guidance through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

What is SHIP?

Formerly known as MMAP (Michigan Medicare Assistance Program), SHIP is part of a national initiative administered locally by Senior Resources, your Area Agency on Aging. This grant-funded program is designed to help Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.

Meet the Team

At the heart of the program is Joan Schmiedeknecht, SHIP’s Regional Coordinator, who leads a passionate team of 9 trained volunteer counselors. The local SHIP office is located in the Tanglewood Park Office Building at 560 Seminole Rd, with additional offices in Ottawa and Oceana counties to ensure accessibility.

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (by appointment)

Who Can Benefit?

Whether you’re turning 65, experiencing a life change that qualifies you for special enrollment, or reviewing your options during the annual open enrollment period, SHIP is here to help.

While SHIP counselors are not licensed insurance agents, they undergo rigorous training and annual recertification to ensure they provide accurate, unbiased, and up-to-date information on your various Medicare plan options.

Volunteer Stories: Craig and Jean Weirich

Two of SHIP’s longtime volunteers, Craig and Jean Weirich, have been helping local residents for over a decade.

“What we find most rewarding is working one-on-one with clients as they navigate the complexities of Medicare. Helping each person find the right insurance coverage for their unique situations gives us a real sense of purpose. We love giving back to our community in a meaningful way that directly supports people’s healthcare needs.”

Medicare Open Enrollment 2025

The upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7, 2025. This is the only time of year when you can make changes to your Medicare plan that will take effect on January 1, 2026.

To schedule an appointment, call: 1-800-803-7174

Services Offered by SHIP

SHIP counselors can assist with a wide range of topics, including:

  • Medicare Parts A & B

  • Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)

  • Medicare Advantage plans

  • Medicare supplemental insurance

  • Medicare Savings Program applications

  • Reporting Medicare or Medicaid fraud and abuse

In addition to one-on-one counseling, SHIP also offers free “Medicare 101” sessions to help you understand your options.

For more information, visit:
Senior Resources | SHIP Help

Protect Yourself from Scams

If someone calls you unexpectedly asking for personal information, hang up. Scammers often impersonate Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security.

Report suspicious activity to:

  • SHIP office

  • Office of Inspector General Fraud Hotline: 1-800-447-8477

Funding and Mission

Funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan ACLS Bureau, and the Muskegon County Senior Millage, SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance companies.

Mission: To educate, counsel, and empower you to make the best decisions for your health and your future.

Craig and Jean Weirich

Craig and Jean Weirich