Wisconsin Senior Issues - Other Sources of Help


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Senior Issues < Other Sources of Help

As a convenience, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) offers links to certain Web sites created and maintained by other public and/or private entities. OCI has no control over linked sites and cannot guarantee, or be held responsible for, materials found on any non-OCI site. A link to another Web site does not mean that OCI endorses that site.

Health Insurance
Issues on Aging
Long-Term Care
Medicaid
Medicare
Prescription Drug Assistance
Rating Services
SeniorCare
State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Assistance

If you have questions or complaints about:

Health Insurance

Board on Aging and Long Term Care (BOALTC) (longtermcare.state.wi.us/home/)
800-242-1060 - Medigap Helpline

This is a statewide toll-free number set up by the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care and funded by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to answer questions about health insurance and other health care benefits for the elderly. It has no connection with any insurance company.
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) (oci.wi.gov)
800-236-8517 (statewide) or (608) 266-0103 (Madison)
711 TDD (ask for 608-266-3586)

OCI publishes several consumer guides to assist seniors in their shopping for insurance. The publications should be used only as a guide. These guides are not legal documents, and do not represent your rights under any insurance policy or government program. Your policy, contract, or federal or state laws establish your rights. Consult an attorney for legal guidance about your specific rights; legal assistance may also be available through your local office for the aging.

If you are having a problem with your insurance, you should first check with your agent or with the insurance company that sold you the policy. If you do not get satisfactory answers, you may file a complaint with OCI.

Information on Alzheimer Programs (www.dhfs.state.wi.us/aging/Genage/alzfcgsp.htm)
[or contact the Wisconsin Bureau of Aging and Long Term Care Resources at (608) 266-2536]

The Alzheimer's Family and Caregiver Support Program or AFCSP was created by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1985 in response to the stress and service needs of families caring at home for someone with irreversible dementia. To be eligible, a person must have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder, and be financially eligible. The program is coordinated by the Wisconsin Bureau of Aging and Long Term Care Resources, and is available in every county throughout the state.

Contact your county and tribal aging office (www.dhfs.state.wi.us/aging/contacts/COAGOF.HTM). In different counties, different agencies administer this program, but the aging office will refer you to the right agency if necessary.

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Issues on Aging

Administration on Aging (AOA) (www.aoa.gov)
(312) 353-3141 - Chicago Regional Office

The Administration on Aging is a federal agency that works in partnership with a network of state units on aging, area agencies on aging, and Native American tribal organizations to assist older persons to remain independent in their homes and communities.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS)
(www.dhfs.state.wi.us)
(608) 266-1865 - General Number
(608) 267-7371 - TTY Phone Number

An agency of state government, DHFS administers a wide variety of programs and services designed to foster healthy, self-reliant individuals and families in Wisconsin. DHFS oversees Medicaid, the implementation of long-term care, the regulation of state nursing homes, and numerous other programs that aid and protect the elderly citizens of the state.
Information and Assistance

Every county and tribe has an aging unit to help older Wisconsin residents in locating services. Aging units are often referred to as "Commission on Aging," "Aging Resource Center," or "Department on Aging." They can be reached by phone, mail or visiting their office. For more information contact your county/tribal aging unit dhfs.wisconsin.gov/aging/contacts/COAGOF.HTM to learn about the services available in your area.

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Long-Term Care

Community Options Program (COP)

The Community Options Program provides community-based long-term care services if you have a limited income and assets, and would otherwise need to be in a nursing home. The Community Options Program offers a wide range of services including personal care, respite care, adult day care, transportation, and even necessary help with household chores.

For more information on eligibility for the Community Options Program contact your:
Information on services provided by the community options program:
Your local Regional Area Agency on Aging (www.dhfs.state.wi.us/aging/contacts/regaaas.htm) is a good source of information for older people as well. The Wisconsin Bureau of Aging and Long-term Care Resources, in the Department of Health and Family Services Division of Supportive Living coordinates the Community Options Program. You may contact the Bureau at (608) 267-7285.
Family Care
(www.dhfs.state.wi.us/LTCare/INDEX.HTM)

Family Care is a long-term care program being piloted by the Department of Health and Family Services Wisconsin in nine Wisconsin counties. As a comprehensive and flexible long-term care service system, Family Care strives to foster people's independence and quality of life, while recognizing the need for interdependence and support.
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/index.asp)
1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337)
1-800-843-3557 TTY
Certified long-term care insurance consultants are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, Eastern Time, to help you in filling out your application or to answer questions about the program.

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) is an important new benefit for over 20 million people who are eligible to apply for this insurance, including Federal and Postal employees and annuitants, members and retired members of the uniformed services, their qualified relatives and a few other eligible groups.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) contracted with John Hancock and MetLife Insurance Company to provide the insurance. They formed a company called Long Term Care Partners, LLC, to administer the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (www.ltcfeds.com).
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
(longtermcare.state.wi.us/home/)
800-815-0015 - Ombudsman Program

A service of the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care, the long-term care ombudsman is an advocate for long-term care consumers who are aged 60 and over who reside in nursing homes, group homes or are participating in the Community Options Program.

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Medicaid

People interested in applying for Wisconsin Medicaid benefits, please contact your county human or social services department or certifying tribal agency (dhfs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid1/contacts/index.htm) or call the Recipient Services Hotline at 1-800-362-3002. This Hotline is for recipients, recipient advocates and people interested in applying for Medicaid benefits only.

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Medicare

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (www.cms.gov/)
Toll Free 1-800-Medicare
TTY Toll Free (866) 226-1819

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the federal agency that manages the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Each state has a Fiscal Intermediary and Medicare Carrier for the Orginal Medicare Plan. The Fiscal Intermediary pays Part A claims and can help you with questions about Part A bills and services, hospital care, skilled nursing care, fraud and abuse. The Medicare Carrier pays Part B claims and is your contact for information about Part B coverage, bills and medical services, as well as fraud and abuse.

Billing Medicare - Wisconsin Information
Social Security Administration (SSA) (www.ssa.gov/)

The Social Security Administration is the federal agency that manages Social Security benefits, SSI and other programs.

By Phone 1-800-772-1213 Toll Free
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
If you have a touch-tone phone, recorded information and services are available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.

1-800-325-0778 Toll Free TTY (hearing impaired)
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Please have your Social Security number handy when you call.
Social Security Offices in Wisconsin (www.ssa.gov/reach.htm)
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) (www.rrb.gov/default.asp)
Field offices (www.rrb.gov/field/field.asp)

Field offices are located throughout the country. Experienced field office staff handle all questions regarding regular and disability retirement benefits, Medicare, Social Security, tax issues, and sickness and unemployment benefits.

Each field office has a page with their address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address, secure message option, and directions to the office and scheduled itinerant service.
Direct your question to the appropriate district office (www.rrb.gov/accessrrbgov/ZipLocator/zip_enter.asp). You will be prompted to enter your zip code. A link to your district office will be displayed.

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers retirement-survivor programs for the nations railroad workers and their families. Under the Social Security Act, the RRB has administrative responsibilities for certain benefit payments and railroad worker's Medicare coverage.
Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) (www.va.gov/)
800-827-1000 - VA Benefits

The VA is a federal agency that provides information on VA programs, veteran's benefits and VA facilities worldwide.

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Prescription Drug Assistance

Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (www.cwag.org) 800-488-2596

The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG), a grassroots membership organization directed by older people, pursues justice and quality of life for people of all ages through legal and legislative advocacy, education and leadership development. The Elder Law Center is housed within CWAG and provides assistance with elder-related legal problems. The Elder Law Center is dedicated to ensuring that elders receive quality legal information and services irrespective of their ability to pay.
Prescription Drug Helpline for Medicare Beneficiaries
(www.cwag.org/legal/prescription%2Ddrug/) 866-456-8211

The Prescription Drug Helpline is a service operated by the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups. Helpline counselors are available to provide assistance to Wisconsin Medicare beneficiaries and their families (including those who are under age 65 and receive Medicare coverage due to a disability) regarding prescription drug benefits. Information and coordination with other public and private prescription drug coverage is provided.
Prescription Drug Resource Center Web Site (www.drugsavings.wi.gov/)

Wisconsin's prescription drug resource center Web site provides information that allows seniors to make informed choices when purchasing prescription drugs. The Web site makes available the ability to buy certain prescriptions at a lower price from pharmacies that have been visited by representatives of several state governors and found by inspection to be safe, reputable, and reliable. Wisconsin participated in this effort in order to make available more prescription drug purchasing options.

In addition, Wisconsin has facilitated access to a pharmacy benefits manager who works to acquire prescription drugs from Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
SeniorCare (www.dhfs.state.wi.us/seniorcare/index.htm)

SeniorCare is Wisconsin's Prescription Drug Assistance Program for Wisconsin residents who are 65 years of age or older and who meet eligibility requirements.

1-800-657-2038 SeniorCare Customer Service Hotline
(TTY and translations services are available.)

If you think you are eligible, contact your local aging agency www.dhfs.state.wi.us/seniorCare/HowWhere.htm for more information.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (www.pparx.org)
1-888-477-2669

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations and civic groups to help low-income, uninsured patients get free or nearly free brand-name medicines. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 275 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

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Rating Services

Financial strength and being able to meet financial obligations to policyholders is very important. Independent rating organizations publish financial ratings of insurance companies. These rating organizations do not rate the quality of the company's policies, practices, agents, or service.

A.M. Best Company (908-439-2200) rates insurance companies in terms of their financial stability. Their site describes their rating system and provides ratings online.

Fitch IBCA, Duff & Phelps 1-800-75Fitch (1-800-753-4824) (212-908-0800) rates the claims paying ability of insurance companies. Their site includes an online ratings guide.

Moody's Investors Service (212-553-0377) rates the financial strength or security of insurance companies. Their site describes their rating approach and includes insurance financial strength ratings.

Standard & Poor's (212-438-2000) rates insurance companies. Their site includes online ratings and ratings definitions.

Weiss Ratings, Inc. (800-289-9222) provides independent ratings of financial safety designed for consumers.

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SeniorCare (www.dhfs.state.wi.us/seniorcare/index.htm)

SeniorCare is Wisconsin's Prescription Drug Assistance Program for Wisconsin residents who are 65 years of age or older and who meet eligibility requirements.

1-800-657-2038 SeniorCare Customer Service Hotline
(TTY and translations services are available.)

If you think you are eligible, contact your local aging agency www.dhfs.state.wi.us/seniorCare/HowWhere.htm for more information.

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State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Information Assistance

The State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is a free counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries that provides information regarding Medicare and Medigap insurance policies.

SHIP's Medigap Helpline (1-800-242-1060) can help you with questions about health insurance, primarily Medicare supplements, long-term care insurance, and other health care plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. The Medigap Helpline is provided by the State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care at no cost to you. There is no connection with any insurance company.

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Updated: December 28, 2007

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