Description: At PGCSC, your local SHIP counselors (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) and volunteers work to offer unbiased one-on-one assistance in choosing the most appropriate plan, counseling and education to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. We assist our beneficiaries in making informed decisions dependent on a person's preferences, circumstances, overall health, and budget for their care and benefits. Our mission is to empower, educate, and assist Medicare-eligible individuals at no cost through outreach, counseling, and training. Our services include:  

  • Help in understanding your benefits! 
  • One-on-one unbiased health insurance counseling for Medicare Plans, (via phone or in person) for:
    • Orginal Medicare (Part A & Part B)
    • Medicare Advantage Plans ( Part C)
    • Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
    • Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap Policies A-N)
    • Medical Savings Plans (MSP's ), and Low - Income Subsidies (LIS)
    • Extra Benefits with your Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Provide information on applying for Social Security & Supplemental Security Income
  • Provide assistance in applying for "Extra Help" through SSA, and MSP's
  • Assistance with appeals and resolving problems 
  • Resources, Referrals and Useful Links
Eligibility: If you eligible for Medicare we can assist you with your medicare options

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP):

Senior Medicare Patrol programs, or SMPs, help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. They not only protect elders, but they also help preserve the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. At PGCSC, your local SMP is here to assist you. If you feel that you have been a victim of Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse, call your local SMP at:

Availability: Available for ALL Pinal and Gila Counties at the following location:

  • Via Phone: by calling Pinal Gila Council for Senior Citizens at (520)836-2758 or (800)293-9393
  • In Person : 8969 W. McCartney Rd., Casa Grande, AZ 85194 (By appointment only) 

For Information on Medicare Part D in Different Languages, please visit:
For info in another language click here 

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health has created a bilingual hotline to assist individuals with the Medicare Part D enrollment Process. Hours of operations are as follows: Monday-Friday from 5:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Pacific Time. If assistance is needed, please call:
1-866-783-2645

Special toll-free numbers for assistance with Medicare RX Drug Coverage are now available for speakers of Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) Korean, and Vietnamese. This is important because 1(800)-Medicare assistance is only avaiable in English and Spanish. This toll-free hotline is being made available by the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA). 

Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin) 1-800-582-4218
Korean --- 1-800-582-4259
Vietnamese --- 1-800-582-4336
English --- 1-800-336-2722