Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
MARCH 2003 NICA NEWS
THIS & THAT
MSSP Update
As of February 25, 2003, more than 5,600 calls had been received at the Medicare Stop Smoking Program Enrollment Center and 1,435 people have enrolled. In addition, over 100,000 brochures and 15,000 posters have been distributed. It is important that NICA volunteers continue to promote the program across the entire state - if this study is a success, it could lead to a smoking cessation benefit for all Medicare beneficiaries in the country. The toll-free number for beneficiaries to call for more information on eligibility is 1-866-652-3446.In addition, new promotional materials are available for use, including Native American and Asian American posters & print ads, a presentation for senior community groups; a MSSP Fact Sheet, a one page MSSP Overview; and Spanish versions of the MSSP Fact Sheet and Press Release. The document library also includes a drop-in newsletter article, project overview and a clinician Q&A. Contact the NICA office to request brochures.
New & Updated brochures available
NICA has added some additional brochures to our library of knowledge. The new brochures include a general informational brochure on the NICA program, and a new handout on Prescription Drug Assistance Programs. Updated materials include the 2003 versions of the Medicare Supplement Rate Guide, Medicare Supplement Options for Beneficiaries under 65, Spousal Impoverishment Protection Law, Savings for People with Medicare, and Sterling Private Fee-For-Service brochures. If you are interested in viewing these brochures, or if you need additional NICA materials, brochures, or public activity and client contact forms, call the NICA office at (402) 471-2841 or your Regional Representative to place your order.BenefitsCheckUpRx.org
The National Council on Aging launched BenefitsCheckUpRx, a free confidential screening tool that provides seniors with a comprehensive and personalized listing of eligibility for over 240 prescription drug savings programs, covering nearly 800 medications. The service is free and confidential. BenefitsCheckUpRx is an expansion of the BenefitsCheckUp website that has provided more than 820,000 eligibility reports for federal and state benefit programs to older Americans.Fraud Scheme
There is a new scheme being operated by fraudulent suppliers. At the present time, the scheme seems to be limited to suppliers, however, it could be operated by other types of providers. The scheme is not known to have been operated in Nebraska.The scheme works like this: In order to obtain Medicare numbers from unsuspecting seniors, suppliers have "parties" and invite seniors to attend and enjoy food, entertainment, and socializing. When the seniors arrive they are asked to drop their Medicare cards in a container (like a fishbowl), and it is explained that their Medicare card will be drawn to win prizes. While the seniors are enjoying the food and entertainment, employees of the supplier are going through the Medicare cards and writing down the numbers. At the end of the event the cards are returned to the seniors. A few weeks later, claims are submitted under the Medicare numbers of the seniors who attended the party. Volunteers, make a point to educate beneficiaries that Medicare cards are as private and valuable as Social Security cards!