Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
JULY 2003 NICA NEWS
Trainer Notes
Hello!
The NICA program has kept its Trainer busy the past few months! Twenty-four new volunteers joined the NICA program this spring, during four Initial Trainings held in Omaha, Kearney, Hastings, and North Platte. These new volunteers have hit the ground running, and are already giving presentations and counseling beneficiaries. The Update Training conference held in June was a big success, with two days of excellent speakers and wonderful networking opportunities between volunteers from across the state. It was great to see those in attendance learn and share so much, but it would be even better to have more volunteers attend. The volunteers who attended completed evaluations of the conference. For those of you unable to attend, please let me know what we can do to make the trainings better for you.The planning has already begun for more Initial Trainings this fall. There will be one in Lincoln and one in Omaha, and we hope to have one in the western part of the state as well. Just as critical at this point, however, is maintaining activity among our current volunteers. There are so many critical issues and changes occurring in Medicare right now, NICA Volunteers have never been more important! Please use the new volunteer posters to promote yourself as a NICA volunteer in your community. Since the Update Conference was held in June, there will not be a separate Update training this fall. The NICA office will be keeping you up-to-date on Medicare issues through the newsletter, and other mailings if necessary. As always, do not hesitate to call the state office or your regional representative if you have any questions.
I hope you are all enjoying your summer!
Amy Larrick
NICA Training Specialist
402-471-3845
NEW NICA VOLUNTEERS
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Lo'Raine Antonson, Omaha Judy Andres, Cozad Donald Boerkircher, Eustis Dany Cardona, Crete Jean Cissell, Cozad Barb Goosic, Franklin Bonnie Hueftle, Eustis Dennis Kamprath, Grand Island Mary Guin Knoll, Omaha Charles Kruse, South Sioux City Sue Kuzelka, Lincoln Nancy Lipovsky, Campbell |
Bobbi Lovejoy, Tilden Gretchen Lovejoy, Bladen Jodi Mackin, Ayr Linda Maly, Weston Bill O'Connell, Lincoln Jeannette Pappas, North Platte Dee Porter, Omaha Pamela Roberts, Omaha Marliss Rockwell, Omaha Cindy Schurr, Eustis Dorothy Williamson, Red Cloud Phyllis Yoder, Wauneta |
NICA VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION & TRAINING CONFERENCE
NICA organized its 2003 Update Training a little differently this year. A two-day conference was held in Lincoln on June 17-18, 2003, in conjunction with the ECHO/Long Term Care Ombudsman volunteer conference. Over 120 people attended this conference from all three volunteer groups.On the first day of the conference the entire group met together to listen to speakers on the topics of Social Security, the Nebraska Department of Insurance's Consumer Affairs Division, Dr. Dean Ornish program for reversing heart disease, Medicare Stop Smoking Program, Medicare Fraud Protection & Health Care Fraud in Nebraska, and changes in Nebraska's Medicaid Program & Medicaid Fraud. That evening, a banquet meal was served and entertainment was provided. In his keynote speech, Tim Wagner, Director of the Department of Insurance, thanked all the volunteers for their hard work. The commissioner then presented all NICAVolunteers in attendance with certificates recognizing their years of dedicated service to the program.
NICA volunteers met as a separate group on the final day, to hear speakers review the basics of Medicare Part A and Part B coverage, and the Medicare + Choice options available in Nebraska. The volunteers then completed an interactive case study exercise using NICA's frequently asked questions. Volunteers were provided with new outreach materials available from the program office - including new posters and giveaways. NICA program news was shared along with the new volunteer reporting requirement, activities and outreach opportunities. Volunteers also received forms to help assist clients under the new HIPAA privacy guidelines.
After the meeting ended, lunch was served and the volunteers started on their journey home. Volunteer participation was excellent and evaluations were great. The enthusiasm created has already resulted in increased volunteer efforts. Many thanks to those volunteers who were able to participate in this learning and networking event!
2003 Volunteer ECHO/Ombudsman/NICA Recognition & Training Conference
The following NICA volunteers attended the 2003 ECHO/Ombudsman/NICA Conference June 17 and 18 at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Lincoln.|
Judy Andres Jim Barry Dorann Bartels Jim Bendorf Ginny Bode Don Boerkircher Rita Brehmer Deidra Carpenter Dorothy Eaton Leonard Finnegan Mabel Gordon Barbara Graham Nyla Heese Evelyn Humliceck Dick Jacoby Dennis Kamprath Wayne Kempf Nancy Kohler Sunny Kontor Charlie Kruse |
Laura Kruse Shirley Lake Jodi Mackin Linda Maly Robert Martin Ruby Martin Jean Meyer Juanita Moore Jack Moran Diane Nieveen Jeanette Pappas Maidie Peters Dee Porter Jayne Prince Cindy Schurr Monica Shelton Rozella Sidders Betty Stiles Jean Van Mark Pat Wilcox |