Volunteer

Why should I volunteer with Missouri SHIP?

Volunteer counselors form the heart of our program.

  • You could be a vital part of helping in your community.
  • Be a trained counselor to help people understand their Medicare health benefits.
  • Help them with one-on-one confidential counseling.
  • Volunteer in Outreach in the community to bring awareness of Missouri SHIP services.

When you volunteer with Missouri SHIP, you make a real difference for people in your community.

"Our goal is to give them information and to put a smile on their face… I had one person who gave us their list of meds. Without insurance — they were a cancer patient — their meds for the year would be $80,000. Doing what we could do with the level of income that they had, their medications would cost them nothing. I felt good about that."

--Missouri SHIP Volunteer Don Fues

Ready to get started?

Complete the application below and we will contact you with more information about joining our volunteer team and answer any questions you may have.

Want more information? Read on to learn more about what Missouri SHIP volunteers do.

Apply now!

What is the difference between a Missouri SHIP Counselor and a Missouri SHIP Volunteer?

Some Missouri SHIP counselors are traditional volunteers. They give their time as volunteers, not as part of another organization.

Some Missouri SHIP counselors are "in-kind" volunteers. In-Kind volunteers are not paid by Missouri SHIP but are paid employees of a local Community Partner organization. Both are vital to our program. All counselors receive the same training and support from the Missouri SHIP staff and Community Partner organizations.

Some volunteers do not provide Medicare counseling, so they are not counselors. They help with other aspects of our work (such as outreach activities).

Whether you want to be an in-kind or traditional volunteer, you will start the same way. Please complete our Volunteer Information Request form to get in touch with someone who can answer your questions and help you get started!

I'm interested! What are the requirements?

To be an active Missouri SHIP volunteer, you should:

  • Want to help people with Medicare in your community
  • Enjoy meeting new people and teaching others
  • Not be affiliated with any insurance company or insurance agency, not have a license to sell insurance, or have other conflicts of interest
  • Provide complete, unbiased information confidentially to every client
  • Be able to complete required documentation promptly

You should also have regular, ongoing availability for counseling-- generally, a few hours weekly except during vacations and other times you may not be available. Volunteer hours are flexible and based on your schedule and availability! The busy season for counseling is October 1-December 7 when 40% of the annual Missouri SHIP work occurs.

Ready to get started?

Complete the application below and we will contact you with more information about joining our volunteer team and answer any questions you may have.

Want more information? Read on to learn more about what Missouri SHIP volunteers do.

Apply now!

What do Missouri SHIP volunteers do?

When you are a Missouri SHIP counselor, you help in different ways. Some counselors prefer to help over the phone or using teleconferencing apps like Zoom. Others prefer to help by meeting in person, such as at a public library. Here are some examples of situations we help with and how you might help as a counselor:

A Missourian starting Medicare soon needs more information about their options
A Missourian with Medicare received a letter they did not understand.
During Medicare Open Enrollment, many clients need help comparing their options
A client called because they cannot afford their prescription medications
A beneficiary is confused about how to file a claim or appeal for Medicare
Missouri SHIP has an outreach table at your area's festival or health fair

Ready to get started?

Ready to get started or obtain more information about volunteering for Missouri SHIP? Just complete the application below. Afterward, we’ll contact you with more information about upcoming training and answer any questions you may have.

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How did you hear about Missouri SHIP?*
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Contact Information

Mailing Address*
Address Type*
Phone Type*
Phone Type
Email type*

Demographic Information:

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) REQUIRES SHIP programs to collect this information, as it is used for a required Resource Report. As part of our grant funding, we collect demographic information about our volunteers. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used to make a determination about your volunteer application.
Race/Ethnicity*
Check all that apply
Gender*

Work History and Experience:

Missouri SHIP volunteers cannot work for insurance companies, have an insurance license and/or sell insurance for at least one year prior to volunteering. A person cannot potentially receive any financial gain from becoming a Missouri SHIP volunteer counselor.
Are you currently working in the insurance industry?*
Have you worked in the insurance industry within the past 12 months?*
Please list anything you think is relevant
Are you fluent in any language other than English (including sign language)?*
Can you make a minimum commitment of eight (8) hours per month?*
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?*
An answer of “Yes” is not an automatic disqualification. A background check will be completed during training.

References:

Please list three references who are not family members
Reference 1: Name*
Please enter how you know the reference. Generally references should not be family members.
Reference 2: Name*
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Reference 3: Name*
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