NeedyMeds
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JUNE 2012
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FROM THE EDITOR This month we want to recognize caregivers, who are often the heroes of families undergoing significant emotional, physical and financial stress. In this issue of PAN, we are highlighting resources for caregivers that may offer financial assistance, respite care services, time away at a camp or retreat center. Caregivers may have medical or financial challenges themselves and often times need a break to care for their own health and families. There are several ways to look for caregiver resources:
Helping the elderly through choosing the right health care insurance plan is a challenge. Please consider using NeedyMeds’ listings of state-funded programs that do this at no cost. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a federally funded health advisory program that provides grants to all 50 states and some territories. The program provides free health insurance counseling to people age 65 and over or people of any age who are disabled.
✓ Look through the listings in your state in the
SHIP programs have different names in different states. Some examples are:
✓ Type in “respite” or “caregiver” in the search box
NC SHIIP Seniors Health Insurance Information Program ND SHIC State Health Insurance Counseling FL SHINE Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders OR SHIBA Senior Health Ins. Benefits Assistance CA HICAP Health Ins. Counseling Advocacy Program
Disease-Based Assistance section of our website. You will see respite care listed in some programs as a provided service.
at the bottom of NeedyMeds homepage. This will bring up a wide variety of programs offering these services.
A sample of programs found through the search function include: • A weekend retreat for stroke survivors, caregivers, and family members of all ages • Three-day retreat for families who have a child with cancer • Many state programs offering respite care financial reimbursement programs Please let us know if you find this helpful. We’d love to hear from you. Wishing you good health, Jaye Jaye@needymeds.org
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Most SHIP counselors are volunteers who have received extensive training and are well versed with all facets of the Medicare program (including Part D), Medicaid, health insurance benefits, etc. To find the health insurance assistance program in your state, visit www.needymeds.org/indices/ship.htm.
INSIDETHISISSUE SPOTLIGHT ON
These state programs all do the same thing: they help resolve confusion about Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, Medicaid, Medigap Supplemental Insurance, Medicare Savings Programs etc. They can help you choose a Medicare plan, figure out claims and billing, file an appeal, and make health insurance decisions. In addition to free one-on-one telephone counseling and advice services, they also provide personal face-to-face counseling sessions, public education programs and media presentations.
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