Provides benefits counseling and legal assistance services for older adults in need. Services include information on Medicare, Medicare supplemental insurance policies, life, and long-term care policies. Services may also include free legal counseling and representation for older adults ages 60 and older with limited income and limited resources. Legal services are limited to civil elder law, including wills, powers of attorney, and debt issues.

Helps Medicare beneficiaries with the following:

- Understand their benefits.

- Enroll in Part D prescription coverage.

- Enroll in Advantage plans.

- Enroll in Medicare Savings Program.

- Help pay for Part B.

- Enroll in Extra Help - to reduce prescription costs.

Senior Care Options program available to older Nebraskans who are considering admission to a nursing home and may be eligible for Medicaid assistance. Clients are screened according to a standardized assessment process developed by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Care Managers arrange for services, which allow older adults to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible.

Housekeeping and supportive services to include grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, transportation and personal care.

Family Caregiver Support for those caring for an aging adult or grandparents caring for a minor child. Provides information, assistance, support group, respite care, and supplemental services.

Home delivered meals are provided to homebound by reason of illness, disability or isolation. The meals meet 1/3 of the daily dietary recommended needs of adults 60 years and over and the requirements of the Older Americans Act and state and local laws.

Public benefit services, legal assistance, education, Medicare filing, and volunteer training through SHIIP.

Insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers provided by trained and certified SHIP counselors

SHIP counselors can advise on:
- Medicare
- Medicare Supplement insurance
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicare managed care plans (HMO, PPO, & PFFS)
- Other health insurance
- Prescription drug coverage (Medicare D)
- Filing Medicare and Medicare Supplement claims
- Medicare Supplement and long-term care insurance policies
- Appealing claim denials
- Extra Help (a federal program to assist low-income seniors with Medicare D associated costs)

Assistance for those who have questions or need assistance with Medicare Part D (Prescription Drugs). Offers provider referrals for those who need Medicaid or Medicaid Extra Help.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drugs) Open Enrollment helps clients navigate the prescription drug plan review process.

Open enrollment happens every year starting in mid October and continues through the first part of December.

Clients may contact a nearby center to assist. If nearby center is booked for appointments, AgeLinc can help with enrollment.

- Effingham - CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp: (217) 342-2193

- Gillespie - IL Valley Economic Development Corp: (217) 839-4431

- Hillsboro - Montgomery Co. Health Dept: (217) 532-2001 ext. 225

- Jacksonville - Prairie Council on Aging: (217) 479-4619

- Lincoln - Senior Citizens of Logan County: (217) 732-6132

- Petersburg - Menard County Board: (217) 632-4412

- Taylorville - Senior Citizens of Christian County: (217) 824-4263

- Springfield - Senior Services of Central IL: (217) 528-4035 or Springfield Center for Independent Living: (217) 523-2587

Education and assistance for Medicare beneficiaries.

Homestead exemptions filing assistance.

Congregate and home delivered meals.

Blood pressure clinics monthly.

Senior centers offer, pool, shuffleboard, exercise, cards (pitch, bridge and chicken foot), puzzles, socialization with coffee every day and pedicures.

Information and referral services.

Provides information, assistance, and referrals for challenges seniors face with independent living.

Assists seniors with Medicare enrollments and Part D changes (SHIP), Medicaid enrollment and recertification, SNAP applications, LIHEAP applications, and referrals to community programs that would be useful to seniors, including food assistance, mental health needs/counseling, transitioning to senior housing, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities.

Offers general health insurance counseling, long term insurance counseling, and senior health insurance Information by providing free unbiased health insurance information, including Medicare B for seniors.

Provides a range of services to healthcare consumers, including:

- Certified Application Counselors.

- Enrollment in free or affordable health insurance.

- Access to free or affordable health care.

- Medicaid and SNAP (food stamp) applications.

- Assistance with Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans.

- Access to free or affordable dental care.

- Access to free or affordable eye exams and glasses.

- Access to free or affordable prescriptions.

- Dealing with medical bills and applying for hospital financial assistance.

- Applications for SafeLink phones.

Other services include:

- Information and referrals.

- Assistance.

- Advocacy.

- Case management.

- Disability Services.

Outreach staff visit older persons or their caregivers to inform them about available benefits and services. Outreach Services may include:

- Encouraging older persons to participate in senior programs.

- Assisting older persons in gaining access to needed services (Benefit Access Application, Medicare Part D, etc.).

- Follow up with older persons and agencies to determine whether services have been received and the needs of the older person are met.

- Provide client advocacy to secure benefits.

Peer Advocates are volunteers aged 60 and older who provide assistance to seniors, also aged 60 and older, with a variety of needs, concerns, and questions. Services include emotional support and companionship, assistance with the Rent Reimbursement program through DHHS by helping with online or paper form applications (a one-time annual program for eligible individuals), and guidance through the SHIIP program, which includes drug plan, Medicare Advantage, or supplemental plan comparisons, as well as education for new Medicare enrollees.

Can also offer information and counseling on long-term care insurance, helping individuals evaluate benefit plans, select suitable policies, or explore alternatives. While not directly providing meals, they can connect seniors to resources like home-delivered meal programs for those who face challenges in meal preparation or access. Peer Advocates also play a role in senior advocacy, supporting efforts to protect and promote the rights and interests of older adults.

Free insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. SHIP counselors can:

- Answer questions about Medicare Supplement insurance, long term care insurance, Medicare managed care plans and other health insurance.

- Organize and assist in filing Medicare Supplement claims.

- Analyze Medicare Supplement and long term care insurance policies.

- Appeal claim denials.

Outreach Counselors work to connect seniors and disabled individuals, with emphasis on those with lower incomes, with those programs that will help them to remain independent. These programs include Benefit Access Applications. SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program), Real Estate tax reductions, Medicare Part D counseling. SNAP, LIHEAP, and other state and federal programs, Assistance with hearing, A small reserve of funds for occasional GAP funding for emergency needs.