FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 12, 2004) -- The Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) assists seniors and disabled Kentuckians with Medicare and other issues concerning their health insurance options. SHIP has received additional funding to focus on the new improvements to Medicare with special focus on the Medicare Prescription Drug Card.

This year’s funding represents an increased emphasis on one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries provided by the staff and volunteers at SHIP.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced that HHS will award $21.1 million this year and another $31.7 million next year to state and local programs that counsel Medicare beneficiaries to help them understand and take advantage of new benefits in Medicare. Kentucky will receive $386,714 this year.

"These counselors are among the most effective resources we have in helping Medicare beneficiaries learn about the changes to Medicare," Secretary Thompson said. "They will be able to use these new funds to equip each local organization with the tools it will need to answer beneficiaries’ questions."

In Kentucky, the Office of Aging Services through the Area Agencies on Aging administers the SHIP program that provides individual help to seniors and people with disabilities with health insurance questions and problems. Kentucky has more than 200 volunteers and paid staff in nearly every county of our state. These counselors use their knowledge of Medicare and other local insurance programs and services to provide in-depth assistance to people with Medicare.

"I applaud Secretary Thompson and am glad to work in partnership with him on this important initiative for our seniors," said Governor Ernie Fletcher, who was a co-sponsor of the Medicare legislation while a member of Congress. "Access to less expensive prescription medicine is crucial as we work to make health care more affordable."

Making prescription drugs more affordable was part of Fletcher’s "Prescription for Kentucky" plan used during his campaign for governor.

With the new funding, SHIP’s will be able to expand their efforts to work with and reach even more Medicare beneficiaries and increase and enhance their volunteer staff through additional training and resources.

For more information about changes to Medicare or to find the number to a local counselor, call the Kentucky toll-free SHIP line at 1-877-293-7447.

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