Senior Health Insurance Information Program SHIIP
MercyOne Elkader Medical Center partners with the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIIP) to provide free counseling
Everyone on Medicare should compare plans each year!
MercyOne Elkader Medical Center has been designated as a Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) sponsor organization by the Iowa Insurance Division . This partnership has lasted for over ten years and has helped many Clayton County and surrounding counties residents understand their choices for Medicare Part D drug plans. SHIIP services are delivered by volunteers in a variety of roles through a statewide network of sponsor organizations. MercyOne Elkader Medical Center has two certified trained SHIIP counselors.
Every year Medicare Part D drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans can change their benefits and overall cost. These changes are announced October 1 and go into effect January 1. That’s why it is so important that everyone on Medicare take advantage of the open enrollment period, October 15-December 7, to get their Medicare “ducks in a row.” Plans can change and so can you during the open enrollment period.
Everyone on Medicare should compare plans each year. Both Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans can change premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and drugs that are covered annually. You could be surprised on January 1 if you stay with your current plan and find it doesn’t provide the coverage you want or need.
If you have questions about Medicare Part D,
or would like to schedule an appointment with a SHIIP Counselor contact:
MercyOne Elkader Medical Center
Ashley McLain, SHIIP Coordinator
563-245-7023
Make sure… your mailing address is up-to-date. If you need to update your address, visit https://ssa.gov/myaccount
or 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778. If you are a railroad retiree, contact the Railroad Retirement Board at 877-772-5772.
Please keep in mind, Medicare and SSA will NEVER call and ask for your Medicare number. Scam artists may try to get personal information (like your current Medicare Number) by contacting you about your new card. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Volunteer Health Insurance Counselors needed in Clayton County
Medicare and related health insurance is confusing and overwhelming. It’s challenging to navigate the application process, to understand what the options are or what the implications might be for choosing one option over another.
Many Iowans turn to trained SHIIP/SMP volunteer counselors to help answer these and other questions about their Medicare health care insurance options. The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is a free health insurance counseling service of the State of Iowa Insurance Division sponsored locally by MercyOne Elkader Medical Center.
Opportunities are open now to become a SHIIP/ SMP volunteer counselor
Across the state, currently more than 350 trained volunteers assist thousands of Iowans each year to understand their Medicare benefits and options through individual counseling sessions, community education, special projects, and making connections in their communities. But more counselors are needed in Clayton County.
Who makes a good counselor? If you are someone who enjoys tackling new challenges, likes learning new information, gains satisfaction from helping people, has good computer skills, can work with diverse populations, and can be an objective and trusted source of information, this may be great fit for you.
SHIIP provides excellent training and resources to assure SHIIP/ SMP volunteers are prepared and have the tools they need for the counseling and community education.
For more information about becoming a SHIIP/ SMP volunteer counselor, contact Ashley McLain, SHIIP Coordinator, 563-245-7023 or visit SHIIP.iowa.gov.
