The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers.
SHIP volunteers for EAAA assist individuals with Medicare in the following ways:
Provide one-on-one counseling to review medical or prescription drug plan options for those new to Medicare and during Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment periods.
* Connect individuals struggling to afford Medicare premiums and copays to programs that can reduce their costs.
* Educate consumers about how Medicare works, including eligibility guidelines and Medicare’s relationship to Medigap plans, retiree coverage, MaineCare, and other insurance.
Extensive training is provided to volunteers, including job shadowing. Volunteers are asked to do 4-6 hours per week and are needed in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Washington Counties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Participates in SHIP/SMP technical sessions either online or in-person trainings. Attends agency, regional and statewide meetings as available.
- Participates in online SHIP/SMP certification and become a certified SHIP/SMP counselor.
- Individual SHIP/SMP counseling on Medicare/MaineCare related issues via the phone or face to face.
- Provides individual SHIP/SMP counseling for New to Medicare beneficiaries after their attendance at Medicare 101.
- Advocate with Medicare; other insurance companies to resolve beneficiary questions.
- Conducts Medicare 101 presentations.
- Maintains confidentiality with personal and written information and respect for volunteers and consumers. All written confidential information is kept only during counseling and given to the SHIP Admin or SHIP Manager for further completion and documentation.
- Utilizes SHIP/SMP materials and other identified resources to stay up-to-date on issues affecting Medicare beneficiaries.
- Completes required forms and/or reports about presentations and other education-related activities.
- Completes required documentation in the electronic database and operates the internet, email, electronic calendar, Medicare.gov Plan Finder, and other systems as determined.
- Proficient with the operation of the Internet, email, and Medicare.gov Plan Finder.
- Adheres to EAAA policies and carries out duties as prescribed.
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR POSITION:
Experience and Skill Requirements: The following requirements and skills are considered essential:
- Experience with the Internet and email required.
- Experience with word processing, and database computer software programs preferred.
- Experience doing telephone work preferred.
- Experience in public speaking preferred.
- Must have a valid driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance, along with reliable transportation.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the Incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this assignment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this assignment, the volunteer is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods of time and talk and hear well, including over the telephone. The volunteer is occasionally required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate a standard computer keyboard, use of a computer, mouse, fax machine, printer, and copier. Specific vision abilities required by the assignment include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
The volunteer must have the ability to access rural locations of the community with reliable transportation in all types of weather conditions.
