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Provides a range of services to healthcare consumers, including:

- Certified Application Counselors.

- Enrollment in free or affordable health insurance.

- Access to free or affordable health care.

- Medicaid and SNAP (food stamp) applications.

- Assistance with Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans.

- Access to free or affordable dental care.

- Access to free or affordable eye exams and glasses.

- Access to free or affordable prescriptions.

- Dealing with medical bills and applying for hospital financial assistance.

- Applications for SafeLink phones.

Other services include:

- Information and referrals.

- Assistance.

- Advocacy.

- Case management.

- Disability Services.

Insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers in Champaign County. SHIP counselors:

-- Answer questions about Medicare, Medicare Supplement insurance, long-term care insurance, Medicare managed care plans (HMO, PPO & PFFS) and other health insurance

-- Answer questions regarding prescription drug coverage through Medicare D and other sources

-- Assist in filing Medicare and Medicare Supplement claims

-- Analyze Medicare Supplement and long-term care insurance policies

-- Appeal claim denials

-- Answer questions about Extra Help, a federal program to assist low-income seniors with the costs associated with Medicare D.

Counselors will also assist with the completion of Extra Help applications.

Assistance with applying for benefits and services, including Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and discounted license plate sticker program. Referrals to other community partners for assistance when applicable.

Provides information, assistance, and referrals for challenges seniors face with independent living.

Assists seniors with Medicare enrollments and Part D changes (SHIP), Medicaid enrollment and recertification, SNAP applications, LIHEAP applications, and referrals to community programs that would be useful to seniors, including food assistance, mental health needs/counseling, transitioning to senior housing, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities.

Outreach Counselors work to connect seniors and disabled individuals, with emphasis on those with lower incomes, with those programs that will help them to remain independent. These programs include Benefit Access Applications. SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program), Real Estate tax reductions, Medicare Part D counseling. SNAP, LIHEAP, and other state and federal programs, Assistance with hearing, A small reserve of funds for occasional GAP funding for emergency needs.

Staff provide one-on-one counseling and information about Medicare and supplemental insurance options depending on individual circumstances. Will work with individuals to help them understand the entire scope of the process, from which services are covered to what financial responsibilities may be on the client. Staff can also act as advocates when disputes arise in billing and/or services.

In addition, because Medicare alone does not cover all healthcare costs, staff can inform individuals about what insurances are available to coordinate with Medicare.

Provides information, assistance, and referrals for challenges seniors face with independent living.

Assists seniors with Medicare enrollments and Part D changes (SHIP), Medicaid enrollment and recertification, SNAP applications, LIHEAP applications, and referrals to community programs that would be useful to seniors, including food assistance, mental health needs/counseling, transitioning to senior housing, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities.

General information on Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap). Updated information about Medicare health plan options, including fee-for-service Medicare, and where available, managed care. Specific quality and satisfaction information about managed care plans. Telephone numbers for help with billing questions, Medicare claims, and more complex questions about health insurance. During non-business hours, callers can access an automated line to request information.

Medicare and You handouts or audio tapes in English or Spanish, request updated information about health plans, and/or listen to pre-recorded answers to frequently asked questions.

Comparisons of Medicare Managed Care plans and Prescription Drug Plans available for potential enrollment (changing current enrollment) during Open Enrollment each year, which is October 15 through December 7.

Outreach staff visit older persons or their caregivers to inform them about available benefits and services. Outreach Services may include:

- Encouraging older persons to participate in senior programs.

- Assisting older persons in gaining access to needed services (Benefit Access Application, Medicare Part D, etc.).

- Follow up with older persons and agencies to determine whether services have been received and the needs of the older person are met.

- Provide client advocacy to secure benefits.

Insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers provided by trained and certified SHIP counselors SHIP counselors can advise on:

• Medicare
• Medicare Supplement insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Medicare managed care plans (HMO, PPO, & PFFS)
• Other health insurance
• Prescription drug coverage (Medicare D)
• Filing Medicare and Medicare Supplement claims
• Medicare Supplement and long-term care insurance policies
• Appealing claim denials
• Extra Help (a federal program to assist low-income seniors with Medicare D associated costs)