In This Issue:Cover Story:Welcome to MedicareEvents Kick-Off

News You Can Use: How Medicare Works with Federal and Military Benefits

Volunteer Features: Bruce AmselAnn FowbelSusan Pittman

OSHIIP Road Show

OSHIIP is Hiring

2018 Medicare Webinars

2018 Volunteer Trainings

2018 “Welcome to Medicare” Events Kick Off April 3!

The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program

Published by the Ohio Department of Insurance to serve our dedicated OSHIIP volunteers throughout Ohio

SPRING 2018

OSHIIP NEWS

This year over 100,000 Ohioans will turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. Those new to Medicare and those nearing eligibility are encouraged to attend a free “Welcome to Medicare” event sponsored by the Ohio Department of Insurance and their Medicare experts (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program).

Topics to be covered are Medicare Part A and B benefits, Part D prescription drug benefits, Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, financial assistance and key deadlines. Events begin on April 3 and run through June 21.

In 2017, OSHIIP staff and volunteers helped more than 436,000 Ohioans with Medicare save $23.1 million by assisting people in comparing and selecting appropriate plans and informing individuals about potential financial assistance programs.

If you are a volunteer for OSHIIP, your attendance at a local “Welcome to Medicare” event fulfills part of your annual recertification requirements. Be sure to encourage and invite any of your clients who may benefit from this event.

Additionally, OSHIIP will also host “Welcome to Medicare” public webinars viewable via the Ohio Department of Insurance website. To view a complete list of webinar dates and in-person events, follow this link.

Jillian Froment Director

John R. KasichGovernor

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News You Can Use How Medicare Works with Federal and Military Benefits

Medicare coverage works differently with other kinds of insurance and today you will learn how it works with federal and military benefits.

Point 1: Understand how Medicare works with Federal Employee Health Benefits. Non-military federal employees are often eligible for health insurance from Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB). If your client continues to work as a federal employee after becoming eligible for Medicare, and they enroll in Medicare and keep their FEHB health plan, the FEHB plan is their primary insurance. This means it pays first on health insurance claims. Medicare is secondary, meaning that it pays all or part of what the primary insurance did not cover. If your client is retired, takes Medicare Parts A and B and keeps their FEHB retiree coverage, Medicare will pay primary and their FEHB plan will pay secondary. If they choose to turn down Medicare coverage or to enroll only in Medicare Part A and not Part B, their FEHB coverage will remain primary. This is different from most private sector retiree plans in which retiree coverage stops paying primary even for someone who declines Medicare Part B. As a result, some federal retirees choose to keep their FEHB retiree plan and decline Medicare Part B. Advise your client to evaluate their costs and benefits before deciding to turn down Part B. If they delay Medicare enrollment but eventually take Part B, they will have to pay a penalty in addition to their Part B premium. The penalty will increase with the amount of time that they are eligible for Medicare but delay Part B enrollment.

Point 2: Understand how Medicare works with TRICARE.

If a client is an active duty service member or active duty family member who has both TRICARE and Medicare (for example, if they are the spouse of an active duty service member and they qualify for Medicare based on age or disability), TRICARE is their primary insurance and Medicare pays secondary. If they are no longer active duty and they are a military retiree or dependent who is eligible for TRICARE for Life (TFL), they are required to take Medicare if eligible. TFL acts as a supplement to Medicare, meaning that Medicare is the primary payer for Medicare-covered services and TFL usually pays any remaining expenses, including deductibles and coinsurances, up to the Medicare-approved amount.

TFL also offers a Senior Pharmacy Program, which allows members to obtain low-cost prescription medications from the National Mail Order Pharmacy, TFL network and non-network civilian pharmacies. There is no enrollment fee for this prescription drug program. This coverage is considered creditable, meaning it is as good as or better than the Medicare prescription drug benefit. This means that if your client has TFL prescription drug coverage, they can choose to delay enrolling in Medicare Part D without penalty.

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News You Can Use How Medicare Works with Federal and Military Benefits

Point 3: Understand that Medicare does not coordinate with Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.

Clients can have both Medicare and VA benefits. However, Medicare and VA benefits generally do not work together. With very few exceptions, in order for Medicare to cover your client’s care, they must receive care at a Medicare-certified facility that works with their Medicare coverage. In order for VA benefits to cover their care, your client must generally receive health care services at a VA facility. Many veterans use their VA health benefits to get coverage for health care services and items not covered by Medicare.

Some veterans only use their VA drug coverage to get their medications. Since VA drug coverage is considered creditable, if they have VA drug benefits they can delay enrolling in Medicare Part D without penalty. Remember that since VA benefits do not coordinate with Medicare, your client will likely only be able to get VA-covered drugs at VA pharmacies.

Take Action:1. Beneficiaries should understand what kinds of insurance they have and how they work together. Advise your client to contact their benefits coordinator to learn about their federal or military benefits and call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn about their Medicare coverage.

2. If a client needs help paying Medicare costs, advise them to contact OSHIIP to find out about any cost-saving benefits they might be eligible for. OSHIIP can also provide one-on-one counseling and assistance in understanding how Medicare works.

3. Clients should contact the Senior Medicare Patrol if they receive any notices or bills that seem suspicious. SMP representatives can teach them how to spot and protect themselves from potential Medicare fraud.

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OSHIIP: 1-800-686-1578 | Fax: 614 -752-0740 oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov | www.insurance.ohio.gov

Volunteer FeatureBruce Amsel

Bruce Amsel Happily Serves Seniors in Cuyahoga County!

Meet Bruce Amsel. For more than seven years he has served as an OSHIIP volunteer for the senior adult population in Cuyahoga County and hasn’t looked back. Known for his engaging person-ality, unique sense of humor and up-to-date knowledge about Medicare, Bruce has been dubbed the “go-to-guy” by former col-leagues, family and friends for Medicare questions.

How did you become involved with OSHIIP?“I was at an event fair and walked passed an OSHIIP table. Gretch-en Lopez (former director of OSHIIP) was at the table and we be-gan talking. I told her that I retired from the Social Security Admin-istration and she said she believed I would be a great addition to OSHIIP.”

What do you find most challenging about helping Ohioans with Medicare?“I see how difficult it is for individuals to navigate the system. It is challenging at times getting them to consider other plan options. The world of insurance has become increasingly complicated.”

Memorable moments while volunteering for OSHIIP?“I recently was able to help a displaced married couple from Puerto Rico,who were forced to move to Ohio to live with their daughter due to the hurricane, sign up for an Advantage plan.”

“Another time, while volunteering at the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging telethon, a woman called in needing help to pay for her prescriptions that totaled close to $12,000 a year. I was able to find her a different plan that covered her medications and reduced her cost significantly.”

What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming an OSHIIP volunteer?“Don’t do it unless you are dedicated. You can not approach this type of volunteering half-heartedly.”

What do you do for fun?“I volunteer at the Cleveland Metro parks, and I am also a RedCoat volunteer at Playhouse Square.”

An interesting fact about you?“In 1976, I performed alongside Herbie Hancock at the Pori Jazz Festival in Pori, Finland with the Ist Armored Division Band.”

Married? How long? Children? “I have been married to my wonderful wife Judie, for twenty-four years. Combined we have two daughters, one son and one grand cat.”

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Volunteer Feature

Ann Fowble Loves Lending Support to Seniors in Franklin County!

Since 2009, Ann Fowble has committed herself to assisting Franklin County beneficiaries as an OSHIIP volunteer. A retired special education teacher and administrator, and current money management adviser for seniors, Ann combines her skills to help seniors understand complicated Medicare matters while trying to save them money in the process.

“I have met some people dealing with difficult health situations that I have been able to help get through complicated decisions and save money. Their resilience and determination have been inspiring. “I am proud of relieving anxiety for many clients over the years by providing information and support to help them to make Medicare decisions.”

How did you become involved with OSHIIP? “I was motivated to take the OSHIIP training after working with a money management client who could no longer afford a Medicare Supplement and was contacting companies to find the best Advantage plan. I did a great deal of research on my own to help her, and then heard about the OSHIIP training.”

What has surprised you most about working with OSHIIP?“I have been surprised and pleased with the ongoing training and support. I know that I can reach someone to help me when I encounter a new situation and am unsure of how best to proceed.”

Tell us about some of the people you have met since joining OSHIIP?“One client with COPD had prescriptions for three drugs, each of which costs her $300 a month in co-pays. I shared information about pharmaceutical company financial assistance programs, as well as find a drug plans that would lower her costs.”

“Another client currently enrolled in an Advantage plan wanted to look at plans in anticipation of a move to Florida. I was able to use Floirda’s SHIP website to give her an overview of plans and costs, and connect to a SHIP counselor in Florida.

What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?“I regularly grind my own flour to make homemade sourdough bread.”

What do you do for fun?“I enjoy traveling to run marathons, reading, and attending jazz and classical music performances.”

Married? How long? Children? “I will be married 48 years this summer, and have two adult sons.”

Ann Fowble

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Susan Pittman

Volunteer Feature

Susan Pittman Diligently Serves Seniors in Hamilton County!Since joining the OSHIIP family in May of 2013, Susan Pittman has been a tremendous asset to beneficiaries in Hamilton County.Currently, she is the Social Services Director at Hyde Park Center for Older Adults. The center offers programs and services to help those 60+ remain active and independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Professional, approachable and knowledgeable, Susan assists clients with paperwork, writing out monthly bills and balancing their checkbook, anything Medicare or Medicaid related, and finding community resources.

Most fulfilling volunteering with OSHIIP? “Seeing the relief in people’s faces when they find someone who understands the ins and outs of Medicare, and who can guide them through the process! Everyone who I’ve met through OSHIIP has been wonderful! I work most closely with Mary Leep-Pichert and Becky Hayward and both of these ladies are so friendly and supportive, and always have an answer for me right away! Client wise, I’ve helped so many different people with Medicare! Old, young, a lawyer, a janitor, a college professor, a cashier. Medicare can be confusing no matter who you are or level of education.”

Most challenging aspect of helping seniors with Medicare? “Keeping track of the rules for different situations, like delaying Part B because of creditable insurance and then knowing the number of months that a Special Enrollment Period would last. Or knowing the STRS or OPERS or COBRA rules. I could go on and on!”

Memorable moments while volunteering for OSHIIP?“I helped an 83 year-old woman apply for and finally receive a Medicare Savings Program (QI). This process took 6 months, many phone calls and letters, and ended with an appeal that we won! The client finally received the benefit and all of the back-pay owed to her.”

“I helped a 92 year-old woman during open enrollment this past year who decided to take a look at her drug plan because she had seen a commercial about it. She said she had always stayed with AARP because that was who her supplement was with. We ended up saving her $900/year by comparing and switching her to a different drug plan!”

What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming an OSHIIP volunteer? “Sign up today! It’s so rewarding and you’ll receive so much support and encouragement from OSHIIP staff.”

Hobbies and fun:“I love to do puzzles. I was thinking that this is probably a reason why I enjoy being an OSHIIP volunteer so much because Medicare is like a big puzzle! I’m also very goal oriented, so I love putting all the pieces together with my clients. I know that sounds corny, but I’m really proud that I’ve learned so much about Medicare over the years and that I can share this knowledge.”

Married? How long? Children?“My husband and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in December! We have two daughters: one who is graduating medical school this May, and one who is a sophomore in college, studying medical sociology and healthcare disparities. They are amazing young women (although I might be a little biased!)”

New to MedicareDelaware CountyApril 7, 10:00amApril 25, 6:00pm

SourcePoint800 Cheshire Rd.

Delaware, OH 43015For Delaware County Residents Only

To RSVP call: 740-363-6677

Hancock CountyApril 18, 10am

50 North339 E. Melrose Ave. Findlay, OH 45840

Erie CountyApril 11, 6pm

Serving Our Seniors310 E. Boalt St.Sandusky, Ohio

*Presentation by Serving our Seniors. RSVP to 419-624-8156

Health Fair

OSHIIP Roadshow

Cuyahoga CountyMarch 23, 12-2pm

Olmsted Falls City Hall26100 Bagley Rd.

Olmsted Fall, Ohio 44138

March 28, 11:30am-2:30pmCleveland Museum of Art

11150 East BlvdCleveland, Ohio 44106

May 10, 9am-12pmDonna Smallwood Activities Center

7001 W. Ridgewood Dr.Parma, Ohio 44129

May 11, 10am-1pmIndependence Civic Center

6363 Selig Dr.Independence, Ohio 44131

Washington CountyApril 9, 8am-11:30amBelpre Senior Center

1614 Washington Blvd.Belpre, Ohio 45714

Lorain CountyApril 26, 1-4:00pm

Lorain County Community College – Spitzer Conference Center

1005 North Abbe Rd.Elyria, Ohio 44035

One-on-One CounselingLorain County

March 21, 9:30am-3:30pm Neighborhood Alliance

90 E. College St.Oberlin, Ohio 44074

Counseling by appointment only. Call 440-775-1504 to schedule.

Cuyahoga CountyMarch 29, 9am - 1pm

West Side Community House9300 Lorain Ave.

Cleveland, Ohio 44102Counseling by appointment only.

Call 216-771-7297 to schedule.

May 30, 9:30am-3pmEhrnfelt Senior Center18100 Royalton Road

Strongsville, Ohio 44136Counseling by appointment only.

Call 440-580-3275 to schedule.

2018 Consumer Protection ForumHamilton County

March 21, 4-6:00pmMaple Knoll Village Auditorium

1100 Springfield PikeCincinnati, Ohio 45246

Join Pro Seniors for the 8th Annual Forum for table displays and a panel

presentation. Register here.

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OSHIIP RoadshowMedicare 101

Portage CountyMarch 20, 2pm

Randolph Public Library1639 State Route 44

Randolph, Ohio 44265

Allen CountyMarch 22, 3:30pm

Allen County Council on Aging215 N. Central Ave.Lima, Ohio 45801

*Presentation by Allen County Council on Aging

April 10, 5:30pmSpencerville Public Library

2489 Wisher DrSpencerville, Ohio 45887

*Presentation by Allen County Council on Aging

May 14, 5:30pmLima Public Library650 W. Market St.Lima, Ohio 45801

*Presentation by Allen County Council on Aging

Warren CountyMarch 23, 11:30am

Deardoff Senior Center605 S. River St.

Franklin, Ohio 45005

Summit CountyApril 26, 10am

Reminderville Athletic Club3100 Glenwood Blvd

Reminderville, Ohio 44202

Medicare for BeginnersFranklin CountyApril 11, 5:30pm

COAAA3776 S. High St

Columbus, Ohio 43207To register call COAAA at 1-800-589-7277

Medicare Options SeminarStark County

March 20, April 10 & May 15, 9amMercy Medical Center – Mercy Hall

1320 Mercy Dr. NWCanton, Ohio 44708

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OSHIIP: 1-800-686-1578 | Fax: 614 -752-0740

oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov | www.insurance.ohio.gov

Webinar and Volunteer Trainings2018 OSHIIP Volunteer Training WebinarsAttendance at a monthly OSHIIP training webinar counts toward your OSHIIP volunteer training recertification. Register for a training below. For audio call 1-877-820-7831, use passcode: 896960.

To register, click on a link below: March 20: Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplements10am: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7711650588796487683 2pm: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4148230160197736963

April 17: New Medicare Cards10am: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3269036473706583811 2pm: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4070983971122692099

May 16: Part D Review10am: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3059725743795106049 2pm: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3778976772662926081

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OSHIIP

OSHIIP is HiringOSHIIP is hiring a Public Information Officer. Click on the job title link for more details. If you believe you would be a great candidate, please apply and remember to share with your networks.

Public Information Officer 1

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Time is running out to submit nominations!

We are currently accepting nominations for Volunteer, Coordinator and Rookie of the Year for 2017! Each year we recognize outstanding OSHIIP volunteers who go beyond the call of duty helping Ohio Medicare beneficiaries. Nominees must be in good standing with OSHIIP and they must be up to date on refresher training and activity reporting. Volunteer and Coordinator of the Year nominees must have at least two years of OSHIIP service. Rookie of the Year nominees must have been with OSHIIP for less than two years.

To submit an online nomination please access this link or complete a nomination form and mail, email or fax it to the attention of Becky Hayward (rebecca.hayward@insurance.ohio.gov). Nominations will be accepted until April 6, 2018.

Nominations Are Being Accepted!

Welcome Newest OSHIIP Volunteers!

Stephanie Hilbert – Butler County Anna Roark – Butler County

Karen Dages – Butler CountyAmy Wylie – Butler County

Jessica Ricker – Allen CountyRob Erskine – Franklin County

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50 West Town Street Suite 300Columbus, Ohio 43215

John R. Kasich Governor

Jillian Froment

Director

Our Goal Progress So Far!

CCF $ SAVED

$15 Million

$7.5 Million

$0

250,000

175,000

300,000

150,000

$1.4 Million

PAM

161,192

3,764

3.6 Million