Published: October 28, 2009 09:37 pm         

Medicare volunteers celebrate 17 years of service

TERRE HAUTE — “One of the best kept secrets in Indiana is the opportunity for Medicare enrollees to have assistance with their Medicare questions and issues,” Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Carol Cutter says.

Since September 1992, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program has provided a free service to the public to help them understand Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug coverage, Medigap policies, and much more.

Launched initially as a federal program affiliate, Indiana’s SHIP is managed within the Indiana Department of Insurance. Cheryl St. Clair, the Indiana SHIP program director, said, “Over time, there have been major changes to Medicare, so we get every kind of question on different topics at different times. Our SHIP volunteers and staff are all terrific people who have dedicated themselves to helping others with what can sometimes be very complex information and health care choices.”

SHIP is funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and has grown to 290 volunteer counselors at 82 sponsoring agencies throughout Indiana. Most of these sites are manned primarily by trained volunteers, known as SHIP counselors. Though volunteers need not have any prior experience, each one is required to complete an extensive five-day training course to be certified by the Department of Insurance.

SHIP provides a variety of services including:

n Toll free access at 800-452-4800;

n Informative Web site available at www.medicare.in.gov;

n Educational materials and brochures;

n One-on-one counseling in person at sponsoring agencies;

n Educating consumers on evaluating various Medicare plans;

n Assisting consumers with appealing Medicare decisions.

Look for SHIP at your local health fairs and other community events, or call 1-800-452-4800 for more information.