The Dallas County Hospital announced Monday the addition of a second Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselor to help accommodate the growing number of seniors in our communities eligible for Medicare benefits, Medicare supplement insurance or who might have questions on insurance claims.
Mike Caufield of Redfield joins Lou Hoger of Perry in providing guidance to seniors close to home as they navigate options and work toward selecting the plan most conducive to accomplishing their health insurance goals and meeting their health insurance needs.
SHIIP was created in 1990 and allows free, confidential, one-on-one counseling throughout Iowa from trained volunteers like Caufield and Hoger.
Caufield has an accounting background of more than 30 years. He is a graduate of Perry High School and a third-generation Perry resident. Prior to SHIIP, he volunteered for 10 years with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (VITA/TCE) program, where he developed an interest in learning more about Medicare.
“My SHIIP training has broadened my scope of knowledge and enabled me to offer more comprehensive Medicare-related guidance for clients,” said Caufield.
Hoger has been a SHIIP counselor at DCH since 2017 and was awarded a statewide award for excellence in Medicare counseling in 2021 by assisting 82% of clients in covering Medicare costs.
“Lou and Mike are terrific examples of the array of exceptional services the community has grown to find here at DCH,” said a DCH spokesperson. “Their partnership will allow more expansive coverage in Dallas County and the opportunity to service more families. DCH welcomes Mike and thanks him for his dedication to serving many of the same individuals approaching us for care.”
Individuals or couples interested in arranging a SHIIP appointment may call 515-465-7578.
