Do you enjoy helping others? The Adel SHIIP office needs another volunteer, and that person might be you.
Figuring out the best Medicare plan can be confusing, so many people turn to SHIIP for help. SHIIP stands for Senior Health Insurance Information Program, and it uses well-trained volunteers to guide families through their Medicare decisions.
One couple who had an appointment with our local SHIIP counselor last November recently said, “I can’t believe how much we’re saving in co-pays this year. I’m so glad we asked SHIIP about our Medicare Part D plan.”
The best SHIIP counselors enjoy challenges, have good computer skills, and can objectively provide choices. Counselors also should enjoy working with a variety of people, and be able to keep confidential any information they find out about the families they assist.
Don’t worry if you don’t know much about Medicare. The program trains volunteers on how look up all of the information that people ask about. You will not be asked to assist others until you are completely comfortable with looking up information and explaining it to others.
For more information or to volunteer with SHIIP, call 800-351-4664 or email shiip@iid.iowa.gov.
Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.
