News Releases for October 2005
October 24, 2005
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Hoeven, Poolman Announce Volunteer Assistance Available For Medicare Recipients
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven and Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman held a joint news conference today to inform Medicare recipients across the state that the Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program, administered through the North Dakota Insurance Department is ready to assist those who need information on Medicare Part D.
"There is a lot of information out there on the new prescription drug program under Medicare," said Hoeven. "We are working to ensure that assistance is available for individuals who have questions or need help with the enrollment process."
The SHIC Program, implemented in 1993, is federally funded through Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and works to assist seniors and other Medicare recipients with questions regarding their Medicare benefits, long term care insurance, Medicare supplement plans, and the new full prescription drug benefit.
Commissioner Poolman said, "I urge anyone who has questions about the new full prescription drug benefit to call the SHIC program at 1-888-575-6611 to get the information that they need. We have volunteers statewide that are available to help seniors navigate all the information that is out there."
Over 100,000 people across the state are eligible for this new benefit. Individuals and couples may also be eligible for Low-Income Extra Help Drug Benefits if their income is within 150 percent of the federal poverty level. All new Medicare Part D benefits are voluntary and each Medicare beneficiary needs to make a decision about whether or not to sign up for prescription drug coverage.
Medicare recipients with questions regarding this new benefit are urged to utilize the following resources:
- Medicare: visit www.medicare.gov or 1.800.MEDICARE or 1.800.633.4227 – Valuable drug plan comparison tool is now available.
- SHIC: visit www.state.nd.us/ndins and click on the SHIC link or 1.888.575.6611 or email the program at ndshic@nd.gov – Personal, one-on-one assistance is available to Medicare beneficiaries or their caregivers.
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