Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
DECEMBER 2002 NICA NEWS
GREETINGS
NICA celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2002, and what a busy and ever-changing year it was. Our volunteers and staff have spoken to over 2,500 people seeking help with their Medicare and Long Term Care questions and have made presentations or provided information at over 110 health fairs. Those are incredible statistics that we know will only continue to grow. NICA has made it through the office change of adding three new staff members and saying good-bye to the past director and assistant. We have had new volunteers join us this year and, sadly, some volunteers resigned. With each change, we learn from the past and strive to improve our future. This isn't an easy task, but with 94 volunteers on board we have the potential to make a significant impact on helping the Nebraska Medicare Beneficiary population.In the next few pages, you will see the latest news in the Medicare World. There are premium increases, new drug coverage for MS patients, and an update on Nebraska's involvement in a pilot project being conducted by Medicare, just to name a few. Also, with the flu season here, the word is out to get your flu shot! Do you realize 29,416 claims for the flu shot have been processed on Nebraska Medicare Beneficiaries from January through September of 2002!?! That is a lot of needles! So go get your cup of coffee, sit back in your favorite chair, and snuggle up in a blanket as you get ready to soak up more Medicare knowledge.
Happy Holidays to the Medicare Elves that have worked hard all year long. I hope Santa will be very good to each and every one of you!
Happy Holidays!
Robin Szwanek
Robin Szwanek
NICA Coordinator
Phone: 402-471-4506
Fax: 402-471-6559
E-mail: rszwanek@doi.state.ne.us
Amy Larrick
NICA Training Specialist
Phone: 402-471-3845
Fax: 402-471-6559
E-mail: alarrick@doi.state.ne.us
Chris Peterson
NICA Support Staff Specialist
Phone: 402-471-2841
Fax: 402-471-6559
E-mail: christinapeterson@doi.state.ne.us
Web site:
http://www.nol.org/home/ndoi/
NICA hotline:
1-800-234-7119
The NICA Program is funded by a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Robin Szwanek