HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Health Insurance Counseling Volunteers will be an integral part of assisting Medicare Beneficiaries in several different ways. Volunteers will have a rewarding and exciting opportunity to work with professionals as well as Medicare beneficiaries to assist in accessing their benefits from Medicare, private insurance companies and other public and private programs Looking for individuals are are dedicated and energetic and like to work with older adults. Volunteers assist with: Medicare and private insurance claims and appeals; comparing Medicare supplement and long-term insurance policies; assist clients in accessing free or discounted prescription assistance programs; screen clients for programs to pay their Medicare deductible, co-pays, Medicare part B premiums; as well as assisting them in completing the necessary paperwork to apply for programs. Volunteers are also needed to assist with Medicare D. The new prescription drug benefit that started January 1st 2006 to help Medicare Beneficiaries pay for their prescriptions. Do you like computers? Do you like to teach individuals how to use them?You may want to assist us with "Senior Surf Days". This is a 4 hour class where you will show older adults how to surf the net. You will teach the basics of how to surf the web and access sites like Medicare, Social Security and maybe even set up an e-mail for them! If you like talking to people, or groups at a senior center opportunities are also available for you. We are looking for individuals who would like to talk about Senior LinkAge Line or Health Insurance Counseling related issues. Training on the topic area's will be provided along with attending the presentation until you are comfortable doing them independently. Volunteers interested in the Health Insurance Counseling program must complete an 18 hour of training and 4 quarterly update trainings each year. Every step of the way you will receive mentoring as you start any project. As a State Certified Health Insurance Counseling Volunteer you will be part of a nationwide system funded by Medicare (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), the United Way of Central MN, and the MN Board on Aging to help Medicare beneficiaries protect their benefits. Our next training for recruitment of new volunteers is going to take place on Tuesdays in August: 8/5/08, 8/12/08, and 8/12/08! The training will be from 9am-3pm. If you are interested in attending you must pre-register. For more information call 320-253-9349 or 1-800-333-2433 or e-mail brenda.wuebkers@cmcoa.org.