Aging and In-Home Services SHIP Outreach
The Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is happy to announce that Case Managers Abby Cole, Diana Guzman and Sylvia Wade have recently completed the training to become certified State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Counselors. As SHIP Counselors they are able to answer questions and counsel Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug plans, long-term care insurance and other health insurance concerns. Our goal is to provide unbiased information on Medicare health care products. Another benefit to the client’s of the ADRC is to provide assistance with Medicare/Medicaid billing errors, fraud and abuse.
The ADRC staff’s main focus as SHIP Counselors will be assisting individuals in applying for extra help programs such as Medicare buy-in benefits. The Medicare buy-in program can help low-income Medicare beneficiaries by paying Medicare premiums, and in some instances, deductibles and copayments. Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for different buy-in programs depending on their incomes. The programs, described below, are known as QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries); SLMB (Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary); and QI-1 and QI-2 (Qualified Individuals 1 and 2). There is also assistance available to pay for Medicare Part D expenses.
AIHS recognizes that our client’s may have a difficult time accessing the many different programs and services available from Medicare and Medicaid. In an effort to help seniors and people with disabilities, we are committed to provide up to date information and assistance with applying for programs that are available to reduce the costs of medical care. Reducing these costs will bring money back into the individual home budget.
Over the year the SHIP Counselors of AIHS will be completing outreach/workshop at different location within our services area to provide information about SHIP and the Medicare Buy-in programs. At these locations we will have applications and other needed information to help individuals complete applications. Call the ADRC at 260- 469-3036 or 1-800-552-3662 for information about upcoming community presentations or for individual assistance with “extra help” programs.
