Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Rosemary

Meet Rosemary. Rosemary is one of our longest serving SHIP volunteers. For those of you who don’t know or remember, SHIP stands for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Benefits in Action is a SHIP site, meaning that we help folks apply for, use and understand Medicare free of charge or conflicts of interest. In addition to providing counseling by phone, Benefits in Action is active in Outreach at senior centers, libraries and other locations. As part of these efforts, we wanted to highlight Rosemary’s tireless efforts to help folks understand Medicare.  

Rosemary started as a Volunteer Medicare Counselor 13 years ago at Centura and stayed there until Centura discontinued the service. Her introduction to Benefits in Action was at a Senior Fair and this resulted in Rosemary joining Benefits in Action in the same role. 

Rosemary’s work as a SHIP Volunteer Medicare Counselor is challenging but rewarding. Her volunteer day starts the night before when she reviews her list of beneficiaries for the following day. She likes to have an idea of what questions or problems are likely to arise during the conversation. For example, if her beneficiary is 64 years old, the most likely reason for their contact with Benefits in Action is “aging into Medicare.” 

Before Rosemary asks clients questions, she first describes Benefits in Action and its purpose. Her emphases are on Benefits in Action being a non-profit organization and, most of all, that our Medicare services are free. Then the beneficiaries’ demographics are confirmed, after which, it is time for the beneficiary to talk and ask questions.  

This is when anything can happen, and counselors must be ready to turn on a dime. If the beneficiary is under 65 and aging into Medicare, there is one set of enrollment rules. If a beneficiary is over 65 and continuing to work with company insurance, then the enrollment rules are different.  

It is amazing how many people do not know what insurance they have. Questions about the insurance cards they have may provide all the information a counselor needs. If all else fails, a call to Medicare will almost always clarify the insurance question.  

All counselors are required to screen for Medicaid eligibility by inquiring about income. If a beneficiary’s income and assets meet the Medicaid requirements, the beneficiary is referred to one of Benefits in Action’s Medicaid counselors. 

It never ceases to amaze Rosemary as to the variety of the questions she may receive. Regularly, new issues arise that she has never encountered before. Rosemary loves her work as a SHIP volunteer. The myth that Medicare is easy and free couldn’t be further from the truth. It is full of minefields, which, if not navigated properly, can result in penalties for life. Many people find Medicare challenging. Rosemary finds it a privilege to assist Benefits in Action’s beneficiaries with this important decision.  

In her own words, “I think Benefits in Action and its SHIP volunteers provide a very essential service. I just wish that more people knew about us and would use our services. This is especially true for those who do not have computers, laptops, or smartphones. There are still many clients out there desperately needing Benefits in Action’s assistance.” 

Kudos to Rosemary and the rest of our SHIP volunteers. They are great. If you need any assistance applying for or understanding public benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP, Benefits in Action’s experienced staff and volunteers can help you. Call 720-221-8354 or email info@benefitsinaction.org for more information.

Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.  

Submitted by Eric Gonzalez, Program Manager