1. Know how. Know now. Rural Nebraskans are Target of Extension’s Medicare Education Program Mary Ann Holland, Extension Educator Jeanne Murray, Extension Educator Mary Loftis, Extension Assistant University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.

2. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Educational Objectives Participants will be able to:  Describe a successful model that partners Extension with state agencies & aging-service organizations in rural areas  Define measures UNL Extension uses to teach Medicare beneficiaries to make informed decisions about medication plans  Identify Extension as an unbiased source in the rural community for education and an outreach partner

3. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. UNL Extension system  University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension  Land-grant university; flagship campus  Extension--Outreach arm of the University  Focused Educators  Medicare Education Team  Locations/rural area

4. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. UNL County Extension Offices

5. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program-- SHIIP  Department of Insurance  SHIIP and Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)  SHIIP Regions/Regional Directors  SHIIP responsibilities  Relationship with community partners

6. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Nebraska SHIIP Regional Map

7. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. National Network  State Health Insurance Assistance programs (SHIP)  Nationwide Senior Health Insurance Locator: http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/staticpages/ships. aspx http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/staticpages/ships. aspx

8. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now.

9. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Nebraska SHIIP and UNL Extension

10. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. UNL Extension Coverage Area Year round Annual enrollment period

11. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. SHIIP Contacts

12. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. UNL Extension Contacts

13. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. SHIIP and UNL Extension Contacts

14. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. SHIIP Contacts 7.9% 92.1%

15. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Nebraska (NE) SHIIP Facts  2009-2010 Grant Performance Year  Rated 5 th out of 54 State SHIPS  Over 88% NE Medicare beneficiaries have drug coverage  Highest percentage in rural counties  NE Medicare population increasing  Enrolled 154 in Low Income Subsidy (LIS) and Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)

16. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. National Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) SHIP Newsletter  Tribute to Nebraska SHIIP and Volunteers – April 2010 newsletter

17. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now.

18. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Partnership  SHIIP and UNL Extension – why it’s important  Other agency relationships  Training of SHIIP Volunteers  Funding Relationship between SHIIP and UNL Extension

19. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Role of UNL Medicare Educators  Extension - unbiased resource  Extension based in rural communities  Local networking  Educator responsibilities as trained SHIIP Volunteers  Education – We Teach  Educational format used: media, classroom-style presentations, elevator speeches, one-on-one conversations

20. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Part D Annual Open Enrollment  UNL Extension Educators hold enrollment events  Educational opportunity through drug plan comparison  Enrollment Assistance  Report to local Extension Boards & District Directors  Report to NE SHIIP  Report to UNL

21. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Rural Nebraska Medicare Beneficiaries  Shortage of medical care  Need to travel long distances for care  Scarcity of community resources/partners  Biased information from television advertisements or mass mailings  Qualify for Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

22. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Low Income Subsidy (LIS)  Qualifies on IRS income information  Prescription drug premium paid by Social Security  Reduced cost of medications  Apply any time of year  Benefit for rural area beneficiaries  As of May 31, 2010:  Income: single - $16,245, couple $21,855  Assets: single - $12,510, couple $25,010

23. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Medicare Savings Program (MSP)  Dual eligible – both Medicare & Medicaid  Pays some of all of Medicare’s premiums, deductibles & coinsurance  Income and asset limits  Reduced drug costs based on income level  Help for rural residents

24. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Future Outlook from NE SHIIP Director, Kendra Rathjen … “ With the passage of Health Care Reform and the continuation of the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, the partnership between SHIIP and the UNL Extension Program will become even more vital to educate and assist Medicare Beneficiaries”.

25. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Future Outlook continued … “SHIIP is a small volunteer program that does not, in all cases, have the means to educate beneficiaries, especially beneficiaries who live in very rural areas. With the help of the UNL Extension Educators SHIIP has been able to reach this underserved population more effectively. In the years following the passage of Health Care Reform this partnership will continue play a crucial role in educating, informing and assisting Medicare beneficiaries”.

26. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Future Needs  Expansion of Medicare Education under Healthcare Reform  Increasing aging population—Baby Boomer statistics  How will state SHIIP offices reach beneficiaries?  Extension’s role in future educational efforts  More than Part D

27. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. New Audiences  Educational outreach necessary for:  Family members  Caregivers  Providers  New Medicare beneficiaries

28. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now.  Thank You for your participation today! Are there any questions?

29. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Know how. Know now. Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.