The AR SHIIP program could not serve Medicare beneficiaries across Arkansas without the dedication of our coordinators and counselors throughout the state.
To reach beneficiaries at the local level, AR SHIIP partners with 36 Sponsoring Organizations statewide. Each organization designates an AR SHIIP Coordinator who plays a vital role in ensuring the program’s effectiveness and efficiency. These coordinators connect with communities in all 75 counties and serve as the foundation of our outreach. We focus our training and resources on supporting them so they can better assist the Medicare beneficiaries they help every day.
It is essential for beneficiaries and community partners to understand what AR SHIIP volunteer and partner counselors are not:
• They do not offer legal advice or any information that could be interpreted as legal guidance.
• They are not affiliated with the insurance industry.
• They are not financial planners.
• They do not sell, recommend, or endorse any insurance product, company, agent, or health maintenance organization.
• They do not make decisions for beneficiaries. Their role is to explain options so beneficiaries can make informed choices.
What AR SHIIP Offers
- Free, Confidential Counseling. Beneficiaries can speak with real people—never automated systems—who can answer questions and explain Medicare options.
- Prescription Drug Coverage Assistance (Medicare Part B).Counselors help beneficiaries understand how and when to enroll in Medicare through Medicare.gov and related resources.
- Prescription Drug Coverage Assistance (Medicare Part D). SHIIP counselors assist in comparing prescription drug plans and reviewing cost‑saving opportunities.