Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
SEPTEMBER 2002 NICA NEWS
GREETINGS
Now that my kids are back in school and beginning to grumble about homework, let me just say that I have no sympathy for them whatsoever!! I have been studying about Medicare non-stop since June. You would not think a simple health plan designed to take care of Senior's health concerns would be so complicated! For example: did you know Medicare covers pregnancy? How often are volunteers getting this question??? Sure enough, three months into this job it happened to me and a few phone calls later the question was answered. Needless to say, I still have a lot of learning to do, but it has proven to be very interesting.The best news I have to share is that the new staff has been hired and the volunteers' support continues to flow in! First of all, the NICA program has added a new staff position to the program. Amy Larrick has been hired as the NICA training specialist who will conduct our volunteer trainings across Nebraska. Amy is from Bladen, Nebraska and she is well acquainted with the rural communities of Nebraska. You can find out more about Amy by reading her article on page 8.
Another new face in the NICA office is Christina Peterson. Chris is the NICA support staff specialist that began in our office on August 26, 2002. Chris is a UNL law school graduate who has extensive experience in legislative work. Chris has worked with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and even has experience selling Long Term Care Insurance. Chris will be kept busy answering the NICA toll free phone line, developing the brochures and newsletter, and maintaining our NICA library of literature. Chris is married to Gary Peterson and has a 16 year old son named Derek.
Keep in mind that the fall update trainings will start in October. We hope to meet all of you at these meetings. Be sure to get in touch with us when you have any questions, concerns, or ideas.
I need to go for now so I can get back to the books. I have a lot of learning to do!
Hope to see you soon,