Health Feature Articles
This
file is available as a pdf file
CLAIM: Help With Insurance & Medicare
Gail Carlson, MPH Ph.D, State Health Education Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
I am on Medicare, How do I choose the best supplemental
insurance policy for me?
What rules should I be aware of when choosing
supplemental insurance?
What insurance can I buy to cover nursing home expenses?
How do I know if I am paying too much for my
supplemental insurance?
Is there someone who can help me understand Medicare
regulations and all the paperwork?
Understanding Medicare and insurance programs and
completing necessary claim forms can sometimes be
confusing. A program in Missouri called CLAIM -
Community Leaders Assisting the Insured in Missouri -
has trained volunteers to answer questions like those
above. Volunteers are also prepared to provide older
Missourians and their family members assistance with
Medicare and Insurance claims. Some of the specific
services provided by CLAIM counselors are:
- providing comparisons of supplemental and long-term care insurance policies;
- assisting with claims;
- providing information about Medicare-approved coordinated care options;
- helping clients understand Medigap insurance policies; and
- assisting with Medicare appeals.
Volunteer counselors do not make final decisions for
clients. Rather, they provide information and assistance
so the client is better able to make informed decisions
for themselves. All information that is shared with
CLAIM counselors is confidential. Services are offered
free of charge and volunteers won't try to sell anything
to CLAIM clients. Volunteers can not be affiliated with
an insurance company.
CLAIM is a program of the Missouri Department of
Insurance. The program is funded by a grant from the
Health Care Financing Administration and services are
provided by the Missouri Patient Care Review Foundation.
This foundation is a private, physician-sponsored,
not-for-profit organization that is concerned about
quality health care for those citizens enrolled in
Medicare. The Foundation is responsible for insuring the
quality of the Medicare program in Missouri.
The CLAIM program has 70 cosponsored sites across
Missouri and can be found in each of the state's 34
senatorial districts. If you need assistance or would
like more information about the CLAIM program call:
1-800-390-3330. Since this is a volunteer program,
you might get an answering machine. Leave your name and
number and someone will call you back.
 |
Site Administrator: |
|
|
|
Last Updated 05/05/2009
