The Senior Health Insurance Information Program
SHIIP is a confidential service of the State of Iowa that helps Iowans make informed decisions about Medicare and other health coverage.
SHIIP counselors can help you understand your Medicare benefits, identify and compare health insurance options, and protect you from paying too much on your medical care and prescription drugs.
They Provide:
Information and printed materials to persons receiving or set to receive Medicare | referral to other agencies | one-on-one health | insurance counseling at no cost to you | Welcome to Medicare seminars
SHIIP counselors can answer questions about:
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Medicare Part A and Part B
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Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D)
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Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
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Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs and PPOs)
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Long-term care insurance
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Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB and QI)
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Prescription drug assistance programs or drug discount cards offered by your state and pharmaceutical companies
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Medicaid and other insurance programs (including free or reduced-fee health care programs)
All SHIIP services are free, objective, and confidential. If you want more information about SHIIP, visit their website.
How do I get help?
If you would like to make an appointment with one of the SHIIP counselors based at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics’ business office in Pleasantville, call 641-842-1488 or 641-842-1423. Counselors are generally available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, or other times as mutually agreed upon, by appointment only. Given that the counselors are volunteers who have varying schedules or availability, we are not prepared to offer walk-in services at this time.
Would you like to become a SHIIP volunteer counselor?
SHIIP volunteers assist thousands of Iowans each year to understand their Medicare benefits and options through individual counseling sessions, community education, special projects, and making connections in their communities.
Being a volunteer can be rewarding. For some, it’s the personal satisfaction of helping people navigate the complexity of Medicare. For others, it offers a chance to give something back to their community or provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.
If you think you are interested, complete the application and submit it to shiip@iid.iowa.gov, and someone will follow-up with you.
