Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
MARCH 2000 NICA NEWS
GOLD RECORDS
Record #40(Norfolk)1/00 (N Heese): Client asked for help with a Medicare claim. Volunteer found a physician's claim that did not auto-cross to supplemental insurance and also a letter regarding a lost check. The NICA Volunteer helped get the supplemental insurance payment and get the lost check reissued. (Time=3hour; $=$2l0.57; Satisfied=unk)Doctors must submit Medicare claims for you to Medicare, but doctors do not have to automatically send the claims to the supplemental insurance company, unless the patient requests. After your doctor sends in a Part B claim, Medicare will send you a benefits notice that will show the doctor's charges and what Medicare approved. It is worth checking your notice carefully to see if all claims were submitted to Medicare and to the supplemental insurance company.
Record #24(West Point) 1/00 (D White): Client asked about eligibility requirements for Medicaid for her mother who had just entered a nursing home after a long hospital stay. The NICA Volunteer suggested the client ask her bank for transcripts and information on electronic deposits and withdrawals. (Time=.15hour; $=$0; Satisfied=unk)
As many as 39,000 Nebraskans may be eligible for the "buy-in" program or qualify for full Medicaid, and never apply for it. NICA volunteers can help by sharing information and encouraging them to call Health & Human Services in the area for every beneficiary who seeks Medicaid assistance. Individuals with monthly incomes of less than $960 and savings of $4,000 or less may qualify.