Iowa SHIIP & SMP

What Iowa SHIIP & SMP does

Iowa SHIIP & SMP is a state government program operated by the Iowa Insurance Division that combines two federally funded initiatives: the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). SHIIP provides free, confidential, and objective one-on-one Medicare counseling and education to help beneficiaries understand coverage options, enrollment timing, and cost assistance programs such as Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs. SMP empowers beneficiaries, families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report suspected Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse, coordinating with federal partners including HHS Office of the Inspector General, CMS, state Medicaid fraud control units, and state attorneys general.

The program is staffed by 15 paid employees and a network of more than 350 trained, certified volunteer counselors who deliver services at over 120 sponsor sites across all 99 Iowa counties, including hospitals, health centers, libraries, and community centers. Distribution channels include in-person counseling, a toll-free consumer line (1-800-351-4664), in-person Welcome to Medicare seminars scheduled across multiple Iowa counties, on-demand online video seminars, group presentations, and resources such as factsheets and guides. Marketing and outreach are conducted through the program website, Facebook page, quarterly email newsletter via GovDelivery, and an annual Medicare Fraud Prevention Challenge campaign. Volunteer recruitment is managed through the Better Impact online application system.

Iowa SHIIP & SMP is funded by two federal grants from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services: grant 90SAPG0070 for SHIIP operations and grant 90MPPG0086 for SMP operations. All services are provided free of charge to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers, with no fees, premiums, or other costs passed to users. The program serves over 40,000 Iowans annually through its counseling and education activities. Culturally competent services are available in English and Spanish, and the program maintains referral relationships with SHIPs in other states, the Social Security Administration, Iowa Department on Aging, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, and the three Iowa Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (Amerigroup Iowa, Iowa Total Care, and Molina Healthcare of Iowa).

Name

Iowa SHIIP & SMP

Legal name

Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - Iowa Insurance Division

Website

https://shiip.iowa.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Iowa SHIIP & SMP is a state government program operated by the Iowa Insurance Division that provides free, confidential Medicare counseling and fraud prevention education to Iowa Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers through a statewide network of 350+ volunteer counselors at 120+ sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medicare Counseling and Education Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Medicare Member Engagement & Care Management (Utilization, Case/Disease Mgmt) (FSAIAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Benefits, Insurance & Entitlement Navigation (Medicare/Medicaid/VA/LTC) (HSABAIAG), Medigap Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) & Payment Integrity (HLAEADAI)

Keywords

• Medicare counseling services
• Medicare fraud prevention
• Senior health insurance education
• Medicare enrollment assistance
• Healthcare fraud awareness

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Grant Funding (SHIIP): SHIIP is funded by grant number 90SAPG0070 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.
2. Federal Grant Funding (SMP): SMP is funded by grant number 90MPPG0086 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.
3. Iowa Insurance Division Operations: SHIIP and SMP are operated by the Iowa Insurance Division, a state government agency, and supported by federal funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Iowa SHIIP & SMP provides free, confidential, and objective one-on-one Medicare counseling and education to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers through a statewide network of 350+ trained volunteer counselors at 120+ sponsor sites. SHIIP helps beneficiaries understand Medicare options, compare prescription drug and Medicare Advantage plans, and apply for cost assistance programs, while SMP focuses on preventing, detecting, and reporting Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse.

Product overview

Iowa SHIIP & SMP is a dual-program service operated by the Iowa Insurance Division that combines the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). SHIIP provides free, confidential Medicare counseling and education to help beneficiaries make informed decisions, while SMP focuses on preventing, detecting, and reporting Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. Services are delivered through a statewide network of over 350 trained volunteer counselors available at more than 120 sponsor sites across Iowa. The programs also offer Welcome to Medicare seminars, educational resource documents, and assistance with Medicare cost savings programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program)
• SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol)
• Medicare Counseling Services
• Welcome to Medicare Seminars
• Medicare Fraud Prevention Education
• Medicare Cost Assistance Programs
• Resource Documents and Guides

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000+ Iowans receive one-on-one support annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector GeneralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMP collaborates with HHS OIG to investigate and resolve beneficiary complaints of potential healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. Reports of suspected fraud are forwarded to the Inspector General for investigation.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMP works with CMS on fraud prevention efforts and Medicare beneficiary education. Coordinates with CMS on fraud reporting and resolution.
• State Medicaid Fraud Control UnitscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMP collaborates with state Medicaid fraud control units to investigate and address healthcare fraud involving Medicaid beneficiaries.
• State Attorneys GeneralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMP works with state attorneys general offices on fraud prevention and enforcement efforts related to Medicare and healthcare fraud.
• Iowa Insurance DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHIIP and SMP are operated by the Iowa Insurance Division, a state government agency that regulates insurance and provides consumer protection services.
• Iowa Department on AgingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides information and resources for older persons and their caregivers. Contact: 515-725-3333 or 800-532-3213. Iowa's Aging and Disability Resource Center (Lifelong Links) connects beneficiaries to services.
• Social Security AdministrationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSA handles Medicare enrollment and eligibility. SHIIP refers beneficiaries to SSA for enrollment and provides information about SSA programs including Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy.
• Medicare (Federal Program)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Medicare program provides coverage information. Contact: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). SHIIP provides counseling on Medicare coverage and helps beneficiaries understand their Medicare options.
• Iowa Department of Health and Human ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides information on programs for those with limited income and resources, including Medicaid. SHIIP helps beneficiaries apply for Medicare Savings Programs through Iowa HHS.
• Iowa Department of Veterans AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHIIP provides information about Medicare and VA Healthcare coordination for veterans. Referrals to local County Veterans Offices for additional veteran-specific benefits.
• Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandles Medicaid managed care complaints and member services. Contact: 1-800-338-8366 or 515-256-4606. SHIIP coordinates with IME on Medicare and Medicaid dual eligibility issues.
• SHIPs in Other StatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHIIP services are available across the U.S. and its territories. Referrals available via shiptacenter.org for beneficiaries who have moved or need assistance in other states.
• Amerigroup Iowa, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three Iowa Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) for Medicaid beneficiaries. SHIIP helps coordinate Medicare coverage for those enrolled in Medicaid MCOs.
• Iowa Total CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three Iowa Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) for Medicaid beneficiaries. SHIIP provides guidance on Medicare coverage coordination with this MCO.
• Molina Healthcare of Iowa, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three Iowa Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) for Medicaid beneficiaries. SHIIP helps Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligible beneficiaries understand MCO coordination.
• LivantaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Iowa. Handles Medicare quality of care complaints. Contact: 1-888-755-5580 (TTY 711). SHIIP refers beneficiaries for quality of care issues.
• Iowa Hospitals and Health SystemsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor120+ sponsor sites across Iowa including hospitals like UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, regional medical centers that host volunteer SHIIP-SMP counselors for in-person Medicare counseling.
• Iowa Libraries and Community CentersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic libraries and community centers host Welcome to Medicare seminars and some sponsor counseling sites, including West Des Moines Public Library, Urbandale Senior Center, and others.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 65 Incorporated: For-profit Medicare consulting firm providing personalized Medicare plan selection advice to individuals. Directly comparable in serving Medicare beneficiaries with coverage decision support, but commercial rather than free and government-administered.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA): National nonprofit running My Medicare Matters and other Medicare education initiatives for older adults. Comparable in providing Medicare education and outreach, but at a national advocacy scale rather than one-on-one state counseling.
• Medicare Rights Center: National nonprofit that provides Medicare counseling, education, and advocacy to beneficiaries and runs Medicare Interactive. Highly comparable mission and counseling model to Iowa SHIIP, though operating nationally rather than at the state level.
• SHIP National Technical Assistance Center: National coordinating center for the entire SHIP network, of which Iowa SHIIP is a member. Directly comparable in mission (Medicare counseling and education for seniors) and operates the cross-state referral pathway Iowa SHIIP uses.
• State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) — National Network: The national network of 54 SHIP programs (one in every state plus DC and territories) — Iowa SHIIP is one member. All programs share the same federally funded, volunteer-driven, free Medicare counseling model.

Broad incumbents

• Center for Medicare Advocacy: National nonprofit law and policy organization focused on Medicare beneficiary rights, education, and advocacy. Comparable mission of Medicare education and protection, with broader policy/advocacy scope than Iowa SHIIP.

Regional players

• California HICAP: California's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, the state-level equivalent of SHIIP providing free Medicare counseling. Directly comparable service model in a different geography.
• Florida SHINE: Florida's Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders program, the state-level SHIP equivalent. Directly comparable service model — free, volunteer-driven Medicare counseling — serving a different, larger geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IowaSHIIPSMP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iowa-shiip-smp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iowa SHIIP & SMP