What is an Elder Benefit Specialist?
Our Elder Benefit Specialist is a person trained to assist older adults who are having a problem with their private or governmental benefits. They are often called “red tape cutters” because they are experts at helping older adults with the extensive and complicated paperwork that is often required to access their benefit programs. They help older adults figure out what benefits they are entitled to and tell them what they must do to receive them.
Our Elder Benefit Specialist receives ongoing training and is supervised by attorneys knowledgeable in elder law. The attorneys are also available to assist older adults in need of legal representation on benefit matters.
Who should seek support from our Elder Benefit Specialist?
Anyone 60 years of age or older who is having a problem in securing a public or private benefit, who wants to know more about private or public benefits, who is seeking assistance in organizing the paperwork required to apply for benefits or who have been denied a benefit that they think they are entitled to receive.
What Elder Benefit Specialists can do?
- Provide accurate and current information on your benefits
- Suggest alternative actions to secure benefits or appeal denials of benefits
- Advocate on your behalf with other parties
- Explain legal action or other possible solutions
- Refer you to an appropriate attorney when necessary
Our Elder Benefit Specialist can help you with a variety of programs and issues, including:
Health Insurance
- Medical Assistance or Medicaid
- Medicare A, B, C and D
- SeniorCare
- BadgerCare+ (eligibility, denial or reduction in benefits)
- Extra Help with prescription drug costs
- Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage
- Other Health Insurance Coverage Issues
- Long-Term Care Insurance Coverage Issues
Income Support
- FoodShare
- Social Security
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplement
- SSI Disability
- SSI Exceptional Expense Supplement
- Social Security/SSI Overpayment Issues
- Railroad Retirement Benefits
Commonly Asked Questions & Concerns – The Benefit Specialist Can Help!
- Do I have to repay a Social Security or SSI overpayment if it was not my fault?
- Will Medicare or Medical Assistance cover my nursing home stay?
- How will I pay all of my medical bills?
- I have been denied SSI or Social Security Disability benefits. What can I do?
- Medicare denied my claim for a certain service. Can anything be done?
- Are there any new or recent changes in programs available to me?
- Do I qualify for subsidized housing?
- I have supplemental insurance but I am getting bills from the clinic. What do I do?
- I can’t afford my medications. Who can help?
- Someone called about insurance…Do I need it?
- I’m turning 65. What do I need to do?
- I think I’ve been ripped off. Who do I turn to for help?
WELCOME TO MEDICARE!
Whether you are planning ahead for Medicare, or already eligible, this helpful video series can provide an overview of Medicare and all its parts. You can find this information in greater detail in your Medicare & You Handbook. If you don’t have this handbook, you can find more information on https://www.Medicare.gov
- Part 1: Medicare Enrollment
English (seven minutes), American Sign Language (ASL) (16 minutes), Spanish (eight minutes) - Part 2: Medicare Basics
English (11 minutes), ASL (20 minutes), Spanish (13 minutes) - Part 3: Your Coverage Choices: Original Medicare and Medigap
English (12 minutes), ASL (21 minutes), Spanish (12 minutes) - Part 4: Your Coverage Choices: Medicare Advantage Plans
English (eight minutes), ASL (15 minutes), Spanish (eight minutes) - Part 5: Your Coverage Choices: Medicare Part D and SeniorCare
English (11 minutes), ASL (23 minutes), Spanish (13 minutes) - Part 6: Financial Assistance Programs and Fraud Prevention
English (seven minutes), ASL (15 minutes), Spanish (eight minutes) - How to Read Your Medicare Summary Notice (English) (22 minutes)
How to Use Medicare.gov
- How to Create a Medicare Account (English) (three minutes)
- How to Use the Medicare Plan Finder (English) (15 minutes)
MEDICARE PART D OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Medicare Part D Open Enrollment is just around the corner. Between October 15th to December 7th you are able to:
- Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage).
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Join a Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare
ALL Medicare beneficiaries should check plan information during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period.
The ADRC Benefit Specialist Program has a form with instructions to help you get organized.
For local assistance with plan comparisons, click the download link on the left or call the ADRC of Door County and ask for the “Medicare Open Enrollment” packet and appointment details. Our number is 920-746-2372.