Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
DECEMBER 2002 NICA NEWS
ISSUES
Railroad Retirees Family Benefit
Survivors of retired railroad employees who died between 1964 and 2001 may be entitled to receive a $2,000 life insurance benefit. Certain retired employees of participating railroads may have been covered under group life insurance policies issued to the Health and Welfare Plan of the Nation's Railroads and the Railway Labor Organizations. The amount of the coverage is $2,000 per insured. The intended beneficiary may not have filed a claim for benefits, and thus no claim would have been processed.MetLife has developed, in consultation with the Trustees of the Railroad employees National Health & Welfare Plan, an Outreach Program intended to contact potential beneficiaries who may have claims under these group term life insurance policies. This nationwide effort is being undertaken by MetLife in an effort to locate potential beneficiaries, provide information to them concerning the coverage and provide assistance to them in submitting proper claims under the applicable policies.
Those who believe they may be eligible for benefits or have information regarding individuals who may be eligible are to contact MetLife's Railroad Operations Center at 1-800-310-7770. Proof of eligibility (including proof of death) will be necessary to process each claim and MetLife will make all claim determinations. MetLife representatives are available to answer questions, and if appropriate, assist in filing a claim.
Nebraska Medicare Partners
Several Nebraska Medicare partners are dedicated to assisting you with your Medicare issues and other related health insurance concerns you may have. Together, we have abundant resources. These partners include:Medicare Part A provides information on:
- Inpatient hospital services
- Skilled nursing facility services
- Outpatient facility services/procedures
- Rehabilitation services
Medicare Part B handles your claims for:
- Medical/professional services rendered in an office, inpatient or outpatient settings
- Lab tests, x-rays and diagnostic tests
- Ambulance transportation
DMERC processes claims for durable medical equipment & supplies including:
- Home dialysis equipment
- Immunosuppressive & oral anti-cancer drugs
- Therapeutic shoes for diabetics
- Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.
- Power operated vehicles
Peer Review Organization handles quality of health care issues including:
- Inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and home health care
- Your rights as a patient, including premature discharge issues
- Care in a Medicare HMO
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Unit on Aging is a State Agency providing information about:
- Nebraska Aging Network
- Benefits Eligibility Screening Services
- Long Term Care Ombudsmen
- ECHO - Medicare Fraud and Abuse
- Legal service referrals
- Care management services in the home
Social Security Administration can help you with:
- Medicare eligibility and enrollment
- Changing your address for Medicare
- Replacing your Medicare card
- Questions on Medicare premiums
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services will help you with:
- Medicaid spend-down
- Medicare Savings Programs
Nebraska Department of Insurance will help you with:
- Health, Life, Auto, & Property insurance questions
- Filing an Insurance complaint pertaining to your insurance coverage
- Insurance Fraud complaints
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Regulation and Licensure, handles complaints against:
- Licensed & certified health care providers, including long term & non-long term care facilities
NICA, Nebraska Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program is a State Counseling Program providing information about:
- Medicare supplemental insurance
- Medicare HMOs
- Long term care insurance
- Medicaid, QMB, and SLMB programs
- Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (CHIP)
Home Health Intermediary can assist with:
- Information about Home Health or Hospice Care