SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program)

For a month now I have been on a SHIIP journey in my office at Crossroads of Pella.

As a volunteer for the state of Iowa Insurance Division, I am one of 300 or so Iowans trained to give infromation about Medicare and especially Medicare Part D.

If you are on Medicare you know that each year the Insurance plans that are offered to help pay drug costs change. You join for one year, possibly renewable the next year, but it is always a good idea to check.

Between October 15 and December 7 each year is when you need to make your changes.
 SHIIP volunteers meet with individual clients to help them see which plan is best for the following year,

• Plans change which drugs they will cover
• Plans change which pharmacies they favor
• Plans change the cost of the premium
• Plans change the deduction amount
• Plans change how they handle the "donut hole"

Medicare.gov has information on their website, and we help clients understand the information.

We are even able to enroll you right on the computer,
             so you just wait to hear from the new, better-for-you plan.

Every state has people who do this service, so if you need help call Medicare to find out where to get it.

In Pella, Iowa, you call
Crossroads of Pella (628-1212)

and you can make an appointment to see me or another volunteer.