|
Senior Health Insurance Information
Program (SHIIP)
Need Answers to Questions Like...
- I'm retiring. What kind of health
insurance do I need?
- I can't make sense of my Medicare statements
and medical bills. What do I do next?
- I've been considering long-term care
insurance, but is it a a good option for me?
- Do I need a Medicare supplement policy?
- How can I help my parents with health
insurance issues?
This program can help you find answers to the important questions you
have on Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, long-term care
insurance, and other health insurance issues. It's free, objective
and confidential.
The State of Iowa created SHIIP in 1990 in response to the statewide
need for senior health insurance information. SHIIP provides free
informational materials as well as one-to-one assistance with Medicare
coverage, Medicare supplement insurance, long-term care insurance,
Medicare and insurance claims and other related issues. SHIIP does
not recommend insurance companies, plans or agents; the volunteers,
trained by the State of Iowa Insurance Division, answer questions and
provide impartial information to help seniors make well-informed
decisions.
What can SHIIP do for you?
- Understand your Medicare benefits and rights
- Assess your needs so you can make informed decisions about
health insurance
- Compare and evaluate Medicare supplement and long term care
insurance policies
- Organize your medical bills, Medicare statements and file claims
- Find assistance from other agencies, including Medicaid, when or
if it's appropriate
Who will help me?
Volunteer counselors complete an extensive 5-day training program.
They are trained to offer unbiased help to seniors with health insurance
questions.
Example: An Iowa woman held three long-term
care policies, two Medicare supplement policies and five other
health insurance policies of limited coverage. SHIIP reviewed
the policies, pointed out duplication. As a result, she
canceled several policies and saved $4,431 in insurance premiums
annually.
Example: A Northeast Iowa senior had 160
envelopes containing medical bills, Medicare statements and
insurance statements. A SHIIP volunteer spent 26.5 hours
sorting through the papers, organizing, and explaining to the client
the status of each claim.
How do I get more information?
Contact the Shenandoah Medical Center at (712) 246-7122.
Official SHIIP website:
www.shiip.state.ia.us
|