WINNEMUCCA - Barbara Ludington has recently begun as an AmeriCorps volunteer working out of the Pleasant Senior Center to help seniors needing assistance with government programs.
"I'm a S.H.I.P. (State Health Insurance Program) counselor at the senior center and I help with all Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security issues," Ludington said.
The former social services director for Humboldt General Hospital is now an AmeriCorps volunteer helping seniors with filling in forms and answering questions about Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
For anyone trying to keep up with all the changes going on with Medicare and related programs it can be a bit overwhelming at times, so Ludington said that center Director Patricia Tindall asked AmeriCorps to see what they could do about finding someone to help her seniors. But you do not have to be a member of the center for Ludington to help you.
"My job is to help the seniors, 60 and above, as far as the center is concerned," she said. "Medicare is kind of complicated."
Ludington is able to help with appeals, grievances and referrals as necessary concerning these programs.
She is the one to go to for unbiased information about Medicare, related insurances, fraud, abuse and consumer assistance. She can also give help in understanding Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap and filing disputes.
Anyone under 60 will probably be referred to the Frontier Community Action Agency for help with their Social Security. Their number is 623-9003.
Fortunately not all of Ludington's new job is totally new to her, as part of her job at HGH involved Medicare and she has a master's degree in social work. So when she walked in the door at the center and the enrollment period had only just begun last fall she was immediately able to help.
"I just kind of jumped in," she said. "I probably talked to 150 people." All that before the enrollment period ended Dec. 7, 2011.
Ludington is normally available at the center Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., but if need be she may be able to come to you.
She will help fill in any forms needed to get the benefits seniors have coming and will also give you some help in finding what you need on the Internet, so that in the future you will be able to find what you need without having to wait for her.
"These people paid that money," Ludington said.
But to get the benefits that you deserve she warned it is imperative to get your paperwork/computer work done for your Medicare within the time periods allowed.
"If you don't do certain things by a certain time you could get penalties attached to your premiums," she said. "Once they do that penalty, you've got it forever."
If you have Medicare prescription drug coverage and meet the requirements you may be able to get "Extra Help," a program for those with limited income and resources, potentially saving you up to $4,000. The "Extra Help" program can help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments related to a Medicare prescription drug plan.
"It's in the Medicare handbook too. People don't read their handbook. Who wants to? It's something that puts you to sleep," Ludington said. "But the information is there. But people don't want to. That's why they have me."
She continues to keep up on the latest rules and regulations by regularly taking training classes in Reno, but she doesn't have an office or filing cabinet.
"I'm not keeping files. I keep my office in a briefcase," Ludington said.
Even though there are certain parameters for her to work within she does help wherever she can. Recently she was able to help a handicapped individual fill in an application for housing.
"So he's on the list (for housing)," she said.
In years past Ludington had looked into joining the Peace Corps, but circumstances at the time kept her from it.
"It's one way for me to fulfill my dream, I guess, of doing the Peace Corps, doing it here," she said. "It's to help people. AmeriCorps is domestic Peace Corps."
As the Peace Corps has helped people in other countries to be more self-sufficient, so AmeriCorps is to the people of America. AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage Americans in intensive service to meet the nation's critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.
The volunteer receives a stipend and at the end of the yearly contract picks up an educational award. Ludington's contract runs to October of this year and of course money will determine how much more time she might be able to spend in this position.
Before you give up any insurance you might currently have in anticipation of retiring and taking Medicare, you may want to contact Ludington to go over any insurance questions and discuss options.
It's not her position to advise people as to what they should or should not do, she said. Her job is to explain how things work and how they might apply to someone, but ultimately you will have to decide what to do.
"I show them what's out there, what the choices are, how it works," she said. "They have to make a choice. I don't choose for them. That's important."
So, if you have a question about Medicare issues, whether they concern parts A, B, C or D, Medicaid or Social Security issues for Ludington, you can stop by and visit with her next time you're at the center or give her a call there at 623-6211.
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