SHIP/SMP
Each of the 13 Area Agencies on Aging within the
State have designated a SHIP coordinator.
This coordinator recruits and trains volunteers that
will in turn, provide guidance to senior citizens
within their community, allowing them to make sound
decisions about their health insurance needs. Both
the coordinator and volunteers counsel individuals
or their caregivers on a one-on-one basis via
telephone, site visits and home visits.
SHIP
Counselors are committed volunteers, and many of
them face the same issues you do as Medicare
Beneficiaries. They are not affiliated with any
insurance company and will not attempt to sell you
insurance. They will, however, give you the
necessary information you need to make informed
choices for yourself. All counseling records are
confidential.
SHIP counselors are
available for presentations on a variety of health
insurance topics.
SHIP
is funded by the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is
administered by the Alabama Department of Senior
Services and the Area Agencies on Aging.
Another program also works simultaneously with
SHIP. It is known as the Senior Medicare Patrol
Project or SMP. The purpose of this program
is to assist seniors in identifying and reporting
suspected Medicare and Medicaid waste, fraud and
abuse. Specifically, seniors will learn to recognize
incorrect or improper billings, as well as
fraudulent or inflated claims. Again, both the
coordinator and volunteers work together in
educating the public.
The
next enrollment period will be November 15, 2010
through December 31, 2010. In general, you can join
or change drug plans once a year between November 15
and December 21.
SHIP would like to reach
out to the low income families in the NACOLG
region. Many people are eligible for extra help
through Medicare Savings Programs and Social
Security. Unfortunately, these people have no idea
of the help that is being offered and are
potentially paying premiums and co-pays at a rate
they cannot afford. Certain income limits and
restrictions apply to qualify for these extra help
programs.
For
additional information call 1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227) or the age line 1-800-243-5463.
You can visit the website at
www.medicare.gov and view the plan finder for
prescription drug coverage.
Click the link below to learn more about the
Medicare Savings Program and Low Income Subsidy:
SHIP Medicare Savings
Program and Low Income Subsidy
SHIP
Medicare Savings Program Benefits
SHIP Original
Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Plans
Department Contact:
Linda Newkirk, 256-389-0538 |
