SHIIP

SHIIP Overcomes Counseling Obstacles

By M. René Tarquinio Lead Case Manager/SHIIP Coordinator

The coronavirus pandemic created many obstacles never before seen in the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), and 2020 will be a year we will never forget.

Initially we thought that we could continue to counsel Medicare beneficiaries in person as we had done before. We had our sneeze guards in place, masks, disinfectants, etc. Then when the COVID numbers began to escalate, we knew that we needed to find a different way to reach Medicare beneficiaries living in Brunswick County.

Open Enrollment a Challenge

The SHIIP program provides counseling with Medicare throughout the year, but Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 is our busiest time of the year. This is the Open Enrollment period when people can change their prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan. We were discouraged because we did not know how we were going to provide assistance to all of those in need.

As SHIIP Coordinator, I knew we needed to find a different way of doing business. Together with the SHIIP volunteers, we came up with a plan. We knew we needed to embrace technology, so together we overcame our initial reservations and called people by phone and by Zoom, and held outdoor presentations and classes. We realized that with perseverance and determination we could continue to assist Medicare beneficiaries. We learned that technology was an amazing resource and tool!

Overall, we counseled 990 Medicare beneficiaries at a cost savings of $633,519. What an achievement during a pandemic!

Thank you, SHIIP Volunteers

Many thanks to our amazing volunteers: Celeste Korpon, Alan Morrissey, Linda Rahilly, Eileen Scanlon, Mary Fitzgerald, Judy LaRocca, Everett Randall, Kate Slavin, Bob Burgess, Mike Carper, and Donna Murphy.

Also, thanks to all the BSRI staff who went above and beyond to help during this trying time.

Hopefully, 2021 will prove to be a less challenging year. But we now know that together we can overcome anything!