The pun in the title isn’t just for laughs—it’s a notice of caution. A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) presents data and statistics that support something I’ve witnessed time and again over 15 years in the senior insurance space: not all advice—even when it’s free and well-intended—is created equal. And in some cases, as the article points out regarding advice from SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program), it might do more harm than good.
Before we go further, I want to be clear: this piece isn’t an attack on SHIP volunteers. The counselors at SHIP are kind-hearted, community-minded people who genuinely want to help. They give their time freely and should be appreciated. But this article isn’t about the intentions behind SHIP’s advice—it’s about the impact. At Senior Legacy Partners, we’ve spent every day for the last 15 years immersed in the complexities of Medicare and retirement. I’ve seen firsthand how good intentions can sometimes turn into costly mistakes. Refer to my previous post, Be Careful Whose Medicare Advice You Follow.
Back to the JAMA article. It reported several concerning gaps in the completeness and quality of information being provided by SHIP counselors. Here are a few stats from the article that caught my eye:
- Only 26.1% of responses correctly and completely answered whether a specific clinician was in-network with a given plan.
- Just 5.7% of counselors could clearly explain the difference between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
- Only 57.1% gave complete and accurate answers about the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
- Although the study didn’t formally measure counselor bias, it identified clear signs of it in many responses.
Let’s talk about that last point—bias—because it’s more common than people realize. Let me share a personal story with you.
Last fall, during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), I met with a prospective client—we’ll call her Harriet for the sake of anonymity. Harriet had met with SHIP the previous year and thought she was all squared away. But as I often say, there’s no harm in getting a second opinion—especially when it comes to healthcare in retirement.
After a thorough review, I had great news to share with her. But first, I asked her to walk me through her experience with SHIP. It turns out they advised her to switch her current Plan G Medicare Supplement to the same Plan G with a different carrier—one that’s well-known regionally. The switch saved her about $400/year. They also recommended that regional company’s Part D drug plan, citing simplicity.
Not bad, right?
Except… after running the numbers, I found Harriet could save over $800/year with a different, nationally recognized carrier offering the exact same Plan G coverage. In addition, I found a better drug plan that not only lowered her monthly premium but also reduced her out-of-pocket prescription costs—saving her another $500/year.
Harriet was thrilled, but then she asked the million-dollar question:
“Brandon, why didn’t SHIP tell me about this?”
My answer? “Maybe the counselor just really likes that regional carrier—you know, the one with the fancy buildings and big advertising budget.”
Listen, this isn’t about pointing fingers—it’s about raising awareness. The SHIP brochure proudly states:
“Nebraska SHIP & SMP counselors are members of your local community who have been screened, trained, and certified as Medicare experts. Many are volunteers and pride themselves on providing unbiased and confidential Medicare counseling and help to prevent Medicare fraud. Their only priority is helping you make informed decisions about your care and benefits.”
That’s interesting. An expert, huh?
As a licensed, independent broker—who has to meet strict continuing education and regulatory requirements—I’m prohibited by CMS from calling myself a Medicare “expert.”
Yet, volunteers, with no licensing or fiduciary responsibility, can claim that title?
Interesting standard, isn’t it?
Here’s the bottom line: Not all advice is created equal. And when it comes to something as important as your retirement, bad advice can cost you.
There’s a better way to go about it. Get advice from someone who’s not just trained—but accountable and experienced. Someone local. Someone with an office in town. Someone you might see at church, the grocery store, or your grandkid’s ball game. Someone who isn’t just helping you once, but is here to help year after year.
At Senior Legacy Partners, we help you make informed decisions with confidence, clarity, and personal care— insuring your legacy, your way.