Fy 2006 State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Ship) Grants

The summary for the Fy 2006 State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Ship) Grants grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Fy 2006 State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Ship) Grants: Section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA) (Public Law 101-508, codified at 42 USC 1395 b-4) authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to States to fund State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs). This FY 2006 grant is a non-competitive continuation of the SHIP grant from the prior grant period. All States that meet the eligibility requirements and timely submit a complete application that meets the requirements set forth in this Announcement will be eligible to receive grants in this grant period. This Program Announcement provides States and Territories an opportunity to apply for non-competitive continuation funding under this grant program and with information concerning application procedures, general funding considerations, eligibility requirements, and criteria to be used in reviewing applications and awarding grants. The purpose of the SHIP Grants Program is to strengthen the capability of States to provide information, counseling, and assistance that will help Medicare beneficiaries in their understanding and access to program benefits as well as improve the value of their health care coverage. Grant funds are to be used principally to support and provide locally accessible counseling services to individual beneficiaries beyond what beneficiaries are able to receive through the other CMS information channels, including 1-800-MEDICARE and www.medicare.gov. The grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is to help ensure that States have a network of staff and volunteers to provide accurate and objective health insurance information and assistance in making informed health coverage decisions and understanding related rights and protections. States are expected to continue efforts to help people with Medicare avoid high or unexpected health care costs, and save money by reducing their out-of-pocket expenses for health care. Through counseling, education, and outreach, SHIPs should continue to help beneficiaries identify, understand, and, enroll in programs and plans, when eligible and appropriate, including the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplemental insurance policies, Medicare Savings Programs, long-term care insurance and financing, and other public and private health insurance coverage options available to Medicare beneficiaries.