News : Plan D reviews at SHIIP saved seniors nearly $10K; local help offered

Vinton SHIIP office

Local SHIIP volunteers recently finished a two day event. The sixteen seniors who participated had a projected combined annual savings of nearly $10,000.

The local SHIIP office is at 309 1st Avenue in space provided by Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics. Seniors can call the local number 472-4091 to schedule appointments. Though callers will initially be leaving a voicemail so the local SHIIP volunteer can call them back, VGH and SHIIP is recommending making appointments as soon as possible to avoid any last minute rush.

The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), a part of the Iowa Insurance Division, is encouraging Iowans to review the 2015 Iowa Medicare Supplement & Premium Comparison Guide and is offering free counseling from a SHIIP representative for any Iowans needing assistance in determining which benefits best fits their specific needs.

“The Iowa Medicare Supplement & Premium Comparison Guide has been one of the most helpful resources for first-time shoppers and people looking for a different policy,” Kris Gross of SHIIP said. “We are very pleased to continue offering Iowa consumers with specific price information to help them make more informed buying decisions. We also stand ready to help Iowans that may need one-to-one assistance to understand the differences between plans and how that may affect them.”

Iowans can review the 2015 Iowa Medicare Supplement & Premium Comparison Guide online at http://www.therightcalliowa.gov/Resources/2015_MedSuppGuide.pdf or call a SHIIP representative at 800-351-4664 to have a paper copy sent by postal mail.

Each year more than 10,000 copies of the guide are distributed to help Iowans as they review which benefits are best for their situation including:

• The benefits found in the ten standardized Medicare supplement plans

• The prices for the various Medicare supplement plans

• Which companies have automatic claims filing

• How each company uses age to set premiums

• Which companies sell plans without asking health questions