Melissa Davlin

Jun. 30, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Understanding Medicare benefits can be frustrating, if not impossible.

When can I sign up? Which plan is right for me?What does it cover?

But the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors Program aims to make the government insurance more accessible for seniors. And this summer, SHIBA volunteers are reaching out to eligible citizens who have fallen through the cracks.

Medicare, which provides insurance benefits to citizens age 65 and up and to people with certain disabilities, has several plans that cover doctor visits, long-term health care and prescriptions.

Because people can purchase any combination of these plans and can combine them with other insurance benefits, knowing how to get the best deal can be tough, said Nora Wells, volunteer coordinator and long-term care coordinator for SHIBA's TwinFalls office.

To reach potential Medicare beneficiaries, SHIBA has a small army of volunteers who sacrifice their time to explain benefits to seniors. The volunteers frequent senior centers, churches and other older folks' haunts to catch up with people who may not understand their coverage -- or that they're eligible for coverage at all.

One of them is 90-year-old George Schwindeman of Rupert, who spends at least a couple of hours a day at the Minidoka County senior center, ready to help his confused peers. Without pausing, Schwindeman can rattle off specifics about Medicare plans and who can benefit from what.

Still, the volunteer of 20 years plays it off like it's no big deal.

"People need help and I believe in helpin' people," he said.

Schwindeman and Wells see many people in their offices:senior citizens getting ready (OTCBB:GTRY) to apply for Medicare, Medicare beneficiaries who don't understand their benefits, relatives who want to help their parents.

Personalized face-to-face advice is exactly what people need, Wells said. When people call Medicare's toll-free number for help, they have to make their way through computerized touch-tone menus before getting general information.

"(SHIBAis) a phone call away, and there's no automated menu," Wells said.

Melissa Davlin may be reached at 208-735-3234 or melissa. davlin@lee.net.

The help you need

Having trouble understanding your Medicare benefits? The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors Program, or SHIBA, uses volunteers and outreach coordinators to help seniors navigate the complexities of Medicare. For information -- or if you would like to volunteer -- contact Nora Wells or Tamara Stricker at 736-4713 or 1-800-488-5731.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0206-26350845