Insurance counseling program to expand

North Carolina's program to counsel older people on health insurance choices should be able to expand services thanks to a new federal performance grant.

The Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program will receive a $58,101 grant from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS announced today. The money comes in recognition of SHIIP's achievements in 2007 in getting information to people in the state insured by Medicare.

Each state has a similar senior health insurance information program. The awards announced today are based on the amount of one-on-one counseling provided by SHIIP staff and on the number of volunteers trained to help beneficiaries.

"CMS is recognizing SHIPs for their outstanding work in strengthening community health resources and creating incentives for states to expand the number of people reached through their programs,” said Kerry Weems, acting administrator of the center.

Under the terms of the grant, the state agency has to use the money to expand counseling and information assistance. In addition, grant funds are to be used to spread the word about extra help available from Medicare for those with limited income and about resources to pay for prescription drug costs.