The Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) provides trained counselors to answer questions and advise Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug plans, long-term care insurance and other health insurance concerns.

Senior Services has SHIIP counselors on staff in its Help Line division. They can assist you in understanding your options, when you are faced with making choices regarding your Medicare coverage. Help Line recommends the document entitled "Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods", prepared by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as a resource for helping individuals understand the process involved in signing up for Medicare.

"Welcome to Medicare," which is presented regularly by Senior Services' Help Line and the Shepherd's Center of Winston-Salem, may be of interest to you.

If you will be eligible for Medicare soon, learn about the many options available so that you can make the choices that are right for you.

The next workshop will be held February 7, 2012, at the Senior Services Center, 2895 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please call Andi Reese at 721-6957. A RESERVATION WILL BE REQUIRED once the specifics of the workshop are made available.

If you would like to volunteer with the SHIIP program, go to our online form. Training is provided by the NC Department of Insurance, and ongoing support is provided to the volunteer by the local coordinating sites. If you have further questions about this rewarding opportunity, contact us at Help Line at 336-724-2040.

Medicare Questions? To call or set up an appointment in Forsyth County, call Senior Services Help Line at 336-724-2040. You can also contact the Shepherd's Center of Greater Winston-Salem at 336-748-0217, which is the co-coordinating site for SHIIP. SHIIP volunteers help fellow senior citizens in their community with questions regarding Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare claims processing, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug plans and long-term care insurance. Calls may be made to either agency, and face-to-face appointments can be set up with a trained SHIIP counselor.