Alaska Medicare Minute Support Group Webinar January 14, 2016 Provided by

Presenters: Judith Bendersky, MPH Gerontologist, Health Program Manager II; Medicare Information Office (907) Nila Morgan Certified Medicare Counselor and Fraud Education Coordinator; Anchorage Senior Activity Center (907)

Purpose and Goals of this Webinar Initiate Support Group Meetings at least quarterly. Definition of the Medicare Minute Program History and Vision Description of the program tools Highlight the different Alaska “Players” Grantees, Volunteers, Review successes for 2015, Remind grantees of their obligation to provide two presentations per month Outreach: Site & Volunteer Development Review completion of Presentation Logs Medicare Minute Example Acknowledge volunteer participation (appreciation), Examples of recent Topics/Medicare Minute Topic List 2016 Available Resources Questions/comments/concerns

What is the Medicare Minute Program Began as a volunteer-based, peer-to-peer education program Medicare Minutes are short scripts, each on a specific Medicare topic, provided monthly Volunteers or staff lead Medicare Rights, SHIP TA Center, and ACL-vetted presentations each month on timely Medicare topics Medicare Minutes make it easy for volunteers and staff to provide Medicare subject matter expertise to beneficiaries!

Medicare Minute History Launched in New York in 2001, Medicare Minutes have since engaged many types of host organizations, like SHIPs, AAAs, ADRCs, and SMPs Today reaches a national audience, through the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center and SMP National Resource Center grants from ACL.

Medicare Minute Materials

Script o Three main points that volunteers read aloud to audience members o Two pages, easy-to- read format o Take Action steps o Can be presented in minutes, or presenters can expand their delivery using Teaching Materials

Medicare Minute Materials Handout Summary of the most important Medicare Minute information for audience members to take home  Your pharmacist, your provider, or your plan (if applicable) can help you understand your prescription coverage.  You can also contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) if you need assistance with understanding your prescription drug benefits or other aspects of your Medicare coverage.  If your drug coverage is denied, make sure to follow up with your provider and, if applicable, your plan or Medicare ; TTY ). If you are still unable to resolve the issue, contact your SHIP to discuss your appeals options.  If you receive suspicious prescription drug offers or charges, contact your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) to discuss potential abuse or fraud.  Your SHIP or SMP program can also help you make sense of your insurance bills and statements. Where to Go for Help Local SHIP Contact Information Local SMP Contact Information SHIP toll-free: SMP toll-free: SHIP SMP SHIP website: SMP website: To find a SHIP in another state:  Call  Visit To find an SMP in another state:  Call  Visit The production of this document was supported by Grant Numbers 90ST1001 and 90NP0003 from the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) National Resource Center and do not necessarily represent the official views of ACL.

Medicare Minute Materials Teaching Materials o Explain the Medicare Minute topic in more detail o Can be used to answer audience questions o Incorporate real- life case examples o Used to educate/prepare presenters

The Alaska Medicare Minute Host Organization Players Judith Bendersky – SHIP/SMP Program Manager Questions about the grant fulfillment (907) Nila Morgan – Fraud Education Coordinator Information about getting the minutes, presentation logs, content, customizing materials, or potential outreach opportunities (907) TJ Zielinski– Administrative Assistance Extraordinaire Completed presentation Logs should be ed or faxed to him Phone: (907) Fax: (907)

2015 Alaska Successes Program expanded from 2 to 14 volunteers Increase from 2 to 16 outreach venues 33 confirmed presentations done statewide Twelve different topics covered Medicare Minutes are now available in a single format that addresses both SHIP/SMP Becoming available prior to the beginning of the presentation month.

SMP Grantees Per the Grantee contract Obligation to present a minimum of 2 presentations per month and submit a presentation log. This ensures that this vital information is provided to the more rural areas of our state who have Medicare representatives.

Site Development Ideas Medical Condition Support Groups Faith Based Senior Groups Senior Residences Senior Center Support Groups Media Based Presentations Professional Peer Group Presentations Libraries Congregate Meal Sites Retiree Groups Media Based Presentations Professional Peer Group Presentations Think outside the box!

Volunteer Development Ideas Ask current volunteers to bring friends along to a Med. Min. presentation Online – Consider exploring local and state volunteer websites Bring fliers explaining the volunteer opportunity to current Med. Min. presentations. Ask current presenters if they know of anyone who might be interested. Promote the Medicare Minute at local events and gatherings – health fairs, college students, who are interested in serving this population

Presentation Log If you don’t write it down, it didn’t happe n! No job is compl ete until the paper work is sent to TJ!

Medicare Minute Presentation Example Starring: Judith Bendersky

Rocking Medicare Minute Volunteers Sharon White-Wheeler – Access Alaska; Head Injury Support Group Ann McLain – Upper Susitna Senor Center/Willow Senior Center Dave Nuetzel – Sitka Senior Center

Topics for 2016 January: What’s new in Medicare 2016 February: Understanding Medicare Enrollment Period March: Preventive & Screening Services Next Medicare Minute Support Meeting April 7, 2pm

Resources Medicare Information Office Judith Bendersky – SHIP/SMP Program Manager Questions about the grant fulfillment (907) Nila Morgan – Fraud Education Coordinator Information about getting the minutes, presentation logs, content, customizing materials, or potential outreach opportunities (907) TJ Zielinski– Administrative Assistance Extraordinaire Completed presentation Logs should be ed or faxed to him Phone: (907) Fax: (907)

Questions?