Nebraska Department of Insurance

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THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM

JUNE 1999 NICA NEWS

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GOLD RECORDS

Record #2 (Lincoln) 3/99 (Volunteer G. Ost): A client called and asked the NICA Volunteer if the volunteer could provide information on the difference between Skilled Nursing Home Care, Intermediate Nursing Home Care and Custodial Care. The NICA Volunteer used the Medicare Desk Reference to assist with the answer. (Time=2 hours, $0, Satisfied=Yes.)

The NICA Program Office has a supply of the Medicare Desk Reference. If you or your clients need additional copies of this reference or other brochures/pamphlets, call the NICA Program Office. The Program Office number is: 1-402-471-2201. The Medicare Desk Reference is a great resource!

Record #67 (Hitchcock) 3/99 (Volunteer G. Gummere): The client asked for assistance with a hospital bill. He received a statement of payment from his insurance company stating they had paid the hospital $699. He did not feel that he had service the date of the claim, so the NICA Volunteer called Medicare, who had no record of the claim or date of service. The hospital had misbilled the insurance company. They refunded the monies to the insurance company. (Time=1 ½ hours, $699, Satisfied=Yes.)

The NICA Volunteer explored all avenues to assure that the client received an explanation he understood. The client was concerned about the incorrect payment, but was uncertain how to investigate the situation. Great pursuit by the volunteer and "hats off" to the client for being astute on the material received from Medicare and his insurance company.

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Records of Counseling

After the March 1999 Newsletter, several individuals reported records of counseling who had not done so before. Many volunteers also requested we add to this list and publish it at least one more time! So, here it is. Look for your name. Remember the importance of all NICA Volunteers to keep the program going. The NICA Program Office wants to recognize the volunteers who have taken the time to complete their Record of Counseling Forms. The following list shows the Region, Regional Representative for the region, and the volunteers who have sent in their paperwork in the past six months. Thank you for your dedication!!!

REGION:
Blue Rivers
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Mary Wilson
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
Craig Buford
Correne Adams-new listing

REGION:
Eastern
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Sandra Gaube
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
77 active volunteers

REGION:
Lincoln Area
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Mary Wilson
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
Craig Buford
Gladys Ost

REGION:
Midland
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Mary Wilson
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
Craig Buford
Barbara Graham
Norma Havranek

REGION:
Northeastern
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Mary Wilson
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
Craig Buford
Raymond Hubert
Nyla Heese-new listing
Gena Luhr Puls-new listing

REGION:
South Central
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Sharon Strong
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
Addie Schroder
Jim Barry
Jean Meyer
Maidie Peters-new listing
Jeanine Kelliher-new listing
Adalia L. Brophy-new listing
Raymond Wall - new listing
Pauline Major-new listing

REGION:
West Central
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Marge Smith
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
Norma Phillips
Rhonda Godbey
Lucy Johnson
Patty Clough
Judy Lutz
Ruth Kamino
Lucile Rickertsen
Elaine Hink
Neil Montgomery
Gloria Gummere
Carolyn Cerny
Shiley Lake
Alice Sheffield
Bob Bolles
Ruth Nelson-new listing
Ann Luther-new listing

REGION:
Western
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Georgine Radlick Wagoner
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
None Reported