Medicare Benefits and Legal Advocacy
Benefits counselors help Medicare recipients and those who will be getting Medicare benefits soon get the most from their Medicare coverage. They are equipped to help with any of the following tasks.
- Explain what Medicare covers
- Help make a choice between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- Compare Medicare supplements
- Compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
- Determine who qualifies for Medicare Savings Programs and low income subsidies and fill out application forms
- Explain eligibility for Medicaid benefits, including SNAP and nursing home Medicaid
- Provide information about Qualifying Income Trusts for those with incomes above the nursing home Medicaid income limits
- Provide information about alternatives to guardianship, including Health Care Power of Attorney
- Explain how to detect, report, and avoid Medicare fraud
- Provide information about consumer rights
- Provide referrals to attorneys
Staff Benefits Counselors
Staff and volunteer benefits counselors provide help over the phone and at local clinics. As their schedules allow, they make presentations to groups throughout the 14-county service area. To request a presentation, email SHIP@nctcog.org.
The NCTAAA is recruiting volunteers to serve as certified benefits counselors. Volunteers must complete 25 hours of training and can choose when and how they volunteer. For more information, contact Melinda Gardner at mgardner@nctcog.org or 817-695-9122.