SHIP can save Medicare hassles

As people age, navigating through the deep waters that is the world of Medicare can cause inconvenience and anxiety. Yet, Yuma has a certain ship that can help those who are floating but need a vessel to direct them.

  The Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) program called the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free counseling and assistance to those 65 and older, along with their families and caregivers, who need help making informed benefit decisions.

  The program provides counseling and assistance for the following situations: choosing appropriate benefits, choosing a prescription drug plan, applying for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), has been a victim of Medicare fraud, and dealing with other Medicare problems such as premium, billing and enrollment/disenrollment problems.

  People can participate in the SHIP program by first making an appointment at 1-800-782-1886 to see a counselor. People can also go to SHIP location sites at Yuma's North End Community Center on the second Wednesday of the month, the Somerton Senior Center on the third Thursday or the San Luis Senior Center on the fourth Wednesday.

  Olivia Kelly is Yuma's SHIP's benefit counselor and will be at each site from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

   "I think (SHIP) is wonderfully helpful in navigating the often confusing world of Medicare. It will give you that partner that will help you when you've reached your wits' end and you don't know what else to do about Medicare," said Jody Cranston, central intake unit supervisor for WACOG.

  People who can participate in the program include those who are turning 65, people who are 65 and older and have Medicare, anyone who is disabled and has Medicare and people who want to apply for Medicare, said Cranston.

  The SHIP benefits counselors offer assistance through the telephone, face-to-face interactive sessions, public education presentations and programs, along with other media activities.

  The enrollment period for new participants to sign up for the program is seven months, said Cranston. New participants can enlist three months before they turn 65, in the three months after they turn 65 and during their birth month.

  For those over 65, there is an general enrollment period, every year, which begins January 1 and goes till March 31.

  The annual enrollment is for those who need help with their prescription drug plan. It begins Nov. 15 and goes till Dec. 31.

  "(We) help people to find the right prescription drug plan, because it is all tailored to the drugs that you need. We give you the top three (choices) that are the right combinations" and the person chooses which is best for him or her, said Cranston.

  SHIP "alleviates a lot of frustration because it can be very trying to deal with problems that occur with Medicare coverage," said Cranston. "Those people that don't have this service will wind up paying great deals of money for certain medications."

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Jennifer Lovell can be reached at jlovell@yumasun.com or 539-6849.

To sign up for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, call the Aging and Disability Helpline at 1-800-782-1886. For more information, go to www.shiptalk.org.

  Residents can also go to the North End Community Center in Yuma on the second Wednesday of every month, 160 E. 1st St.; the Somerton Senior Center on the third Thursday of every month, 239 Canal St.; or the San Luis Senior Center on the fourth Wednesday of each month, 10790 W. G St.

  Yuma SHIP benefits counselor Olivia Kelly will be at each site from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.