THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING,
AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
MARCH 2003 NICA NEWS
GOLD RECORDS
Edie Johnson
Edie Johnson, a NICA Volunteer from Wood River, assisted an 85-year old woman with her Medicare Supplement insurance policy concerns over increased premiums. The Medicare Beneficiary had just received a premium increase notice raising her supplement insurance to $7,133.43 per year! Edie was diligent in assisting this beneficiary and also brought the concern to fellow volunteer Jim Bendorf who provided additional assistance. Edie was able to assist the beneficiary with contacting other insurance companies selling Medicare Supplement insurance policies and finding a company that would insure her for approximately $1,000 a year. This was a savings of $6,000 per year! Edie and Jim provided good teamwork to make sure this Medicare Beneficiary came out a "winner"!
Jack Moran
NICA Volunteer Jack Moran of Omaha helped a client save over $2,300 on a Durable Medicare Equipment claim. The client was incorrectly billed for a claim on a second wheelchair. Jack worked with the client and the agencies involved to determine that the claim should not have been billed in the first place, and also discovered that the client was not asked to sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice, thereby negating responsibility on an additional level. Jack really showed he was on top of the new Medicare issues, understanding the importance of the Advanced Beneficiary Notice requirement.
Addie Schroeder
Addie Schroeder spent two years and many hours assisting with a long term care insurance claim. Addie, a NICA volunteer from Kearney, was first contacted in February 2001 by a family member of a beneficiary in a LTC facility. In January 2003, this file was finally closed with the family receiving payments of over $700 from the company. Addie showed great dedication, following through with this client over several years and finally helping the family receive the rightful payment amount.
