For many people, understanding Medicare and related health insurance can be confusing and overwhelming. Where do I start? What are my options? Am I making the right decision? What will it cost me? Is there help if I can’t afford my insurance? I’m still working, so do I have to sign up for Medicare?
Trained SHIIP volunteers can help. Could you be a SHIIP volunteer? The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is a free health insurance counseling service provided by the Iowa Insurance Division and sponsored locally by the Dallas County Hospital.
More than 360 trained volunteers assist thousands of Iowans each year to understand their Medicare benefits and options through individual counseling sessions, community education, special projects and making connections in their communities.
Who makes a good counselor? If you are someone who enjoys tackling new challenges, likes learning new information, gains satisfaction from helping people, have good computer skills, can work with diverse populations and can be an objective and trusted source of information — then you have the makings of a SHIIP counselor.
SHIIP provides excellent training and resources to assure SHIIP counselors are prepared and have the tools they need for the counseling and community education.
For more information about becoming a SHIIP volunteer counselor and to get a copy of the counselor job description, call Julie at 515-465-7656.
