SHIIP provides unbiased help with Medicare

IVER HEALTH SYSTEMS
Aug. 10, 2016
SHIIP provides unbiased help with Medicare
With the remake of the 1984 hit movie “Ghostbusters” in theaters now, most people know who
they’re gonna call when they need help with unruly
spirits. But people who need help understanding
Medicare and Medicare supplements may be unaware there’s a telephone number for that, too.
Eight Great River Health Systems volunteers are
trained to help Iowans enroll in or make changes
to their Medicare plans. The state’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is a free, confidential service that provides unbiased information
to help people make decisions about Medicare
and other health coverage. People should enroll in
Medicare as soon as they turn 65. They can make
changes to their drug plans during the annual
enrollment period from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
Appointments are available weekdays in the
health system’s Volunteer Services office on the
lower level of Eastman Plaza, and from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. Thursdays at Great River Clinic in Wapello. The
telephone number is 319-768-3342.
“We are proud to offer SHIIP through our Volunteer Services Department,” said Michelle McGraw,
coordinator of Volunteer Services and SHIIP. “Having more volunteers this year will ensure quicker
service, especially during the annual enrollment
period. It’s not too early to make an appointment
because the schedule fills quickly as Oct. 15 approaches.”
Great River Health Systems’ SHIIP volunteer team consists of counselors, appointment schedulers and a coordinator.
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SHIIP– continued
SHIIP counselors help clients:
• Enroll in and understand Medicare
• Enroll in and understand Medicare supplements,
including Part D prescription drug coverage
• Sign up for Social Security benefits
•Qualify for free and reduced drug plans from
pharmaceutical companies
• Qualify for low-income assistance from Medicare
and Medicaid
In 2015, Great River Health Systems’ SHIIP volunteers helped 1,024 people, who saved $254,000 in
Medicare-related expenses. Most of the savings were
related to choosing the right prescription drug plan.
“If people don’t sign up for a Part D drug plan when
they enroll in Medicare, they face a penalty that will
result in higher payments for the rest of their lives
when they do enroll,” said 10-year SHIIP volunteer
Fred Kelly.
“People may say, ‘I don’t need Part D because I
don’t take any drugs.’ But if you need them later,
you’ll pay dearly. It’s like fire insurance. You don’t
buy it because you expect the house to burn down.”
Blue
nights
Great River Health
Systems has been
lighting up the sky
blue in support of
local law-enforcement agencies. The
weeklong event ends
tomorrow.
Welcome to Medicare
seminar Sept. 20
Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information
Program (SHIIP) will present a two-hour
“Welcome to Medicare” seminar at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20, in the Oak Room at Great
River Medical Center, 1221 S. Gear Ave., West
Burlington. The program will give an introduction to Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare
Advantage, Part D prescription drug coverage, Medicare supplement insurance and
programs to help with Medicare costs.
Reservations are required. Please call 319768-3342.
New providers
Cara Sawyer, D.O.
Great River Surgeons
Eastman Plaza, Suite 202
1223 S. Gear Ave.
West Burlington, IA 52655
319-768-4350
Degree: Des Moines University
Residency: Grandview Medical Center, Dayton,
Ohio
Breanne Vogel, ARNP
Great River Family Practice
Clinic
Mercy Plaza, Suite 159
1225 S. Gear Ave.
West Burlington, IA 52655
319-768-1570
Master’s degree: Allen College, Waterloo, Iowa
Events raise $2,348
for Great River Friends
Great River Health Systems’ Junior Volunteers
raised $2,348.39 in their recent pancake breakfast
and raffle. The money will be donated to Great
River Friends, which provides funding for services
that benefit health system patients.
Besides the raffle prizes listed in the July 27 issue
of Great News, these businesses donated prizes:
•A&W
• Becker’s Jewelry
• Dr. Pepper Snapple Group
• Dunn Brother’s Coffee
•Mazzio’s
•RonDavoo
• The Broadway
• The Capitol Theater
• The Ivy Bakery and Café
• The Medium
Aug. 13 walk promotes
breastfeeding
In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month in
August, Great River Health Systems is sponsoring a
walk to raise awareness about the importance of
breastfeeding. Proceeds will be used to purchase
donor milk from Mother’s Milk Bank of Iowa.
Donor milk is used at Great River Medical Center
by newborns with special needs and those who
need supplemental milk while their mothers are
breastfeeding.
The walk is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday,
Aug. 13, around Great River Health Systems’ lake. It
will include:
• Information about services for women and infants
• Dunk tank, three balls for $2
• Door-prize drawing, 10:45 a.m.
• Free refreshments
• Comfortable area for breastfeeding
Participants who aren’t already registered are
encouraged to pay the $5 registration fee at the
walk.
Casual days
Employees purchase $2 stickers for the opportunity to wear jeans to work on designated Fridays. The
next casual days and organizations they benefit
are:
• Aug. 12 Parkinson’s Foundation
• Aug. 19 Kayla’s Cupboard
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
CIA
OF PROVIDING GREAT SERVICE
Comments are from “You’re a Great Person at
Great River” cards. Employees, patients and
family members use the cards to recognize
employees who demonstrate Great River
Health Systems’ EXCEL and STEEEP values.
EXCEL stands for:
• Enthusiastically friendly
• X-ceed expectations
• Caring and compassionate
• Energetic teamwork
• Leadership and professionalism
STEEEP stands for:
•Safe
•Timely
•Effective
•Efficient
•Equitable
•Patient-centered
Valerie Sanford, Case Management
“Val was respectful and compassionate with
the parents of a patient with complex medical
needs. She made his transition to a different
level of care smooth.”
Tyler Nelson, Patient Financial ServicesPatient Billing
“In the pouring rain, Tyler ran to his car and
drove to the hospital entrance to pick me up
and take me to my car.”
Amber Danforth, Great River Urology
“Amber rearranged her schedule without being asked to cover for an unexpected absence.”
Megan Hovden
“One of our patients couldn’t remember where
he parked his car. Megan drove the patient in her
car around the parking lots to help him find it.”
Two EXCEL Service
Heroes to be honored
Great River Health Systems will recognize two
EXCEL Service Heroes in August.
Codianne Thompson
Intensive Care Unit
2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17
Great River Medical Center
Cafeteria
A severely ill patient was looking forward to his
son getting married in June. But the family was
worried he wouldn’t live to see the wedding.
Thompson suggested having a small ceremony at
the hospital.
The couple called their pastor and staff collected
decorations to make bouquets for the bride
and maid of honor. A few hours later, they had
a ceremony in the patient’s room followed by a
“reception” with cake.
Jessica Cramsey
The Keokuk Clinic
3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22
The Keokuk Clinic
Cramsey drove to Great River Medical Center one
night to get injectable migraine medicine for a
patient. Then she went to the patient’s house to
give her a shot to provide relief.
What are the risks of undiagnosed
thyroid disease?
How
do I
recognize
symptoms?
What
treatment
is
available?
Are You a
Red Hot Mama?
Join Great River Health Systems’ free educational series for women
Session 7: “Thyroid Problems in Women”
Speaker: Hannah Heckart, M.D.
Great River Women’s Health
5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25
Blackhawk Room
Lower level, Wellness Plaza
1401 W. Agency Road, West Burlington
Women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop thyroid problems. And 60 percent of those who
have thyroid disease are unaware of it. Learn how to recognize the symptoms and do a thyroid neck check.
Don’t miss this free opportunity for education and a good time. Register online at GreatRiverMedical.org
or call 319-768-3491.
EMPLOYEEPROFILE
Kim Grimshaw, RN
Denial Data Analyst
Patient Financial Services
Start date:
I have worked at Great River Health Systems since 1983,
beginning as a pharmacy technician. After becoming a
nurse, I worked on 4 West at the old hospital, Intensive
Care Unit, Day Hospital and Emergency Department.
I was a nursing supervisor in the Acute Care Center
and at Great River Cancer Center. I also worked with a
surgeon and was a flight nurse for MedForce.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I investigate why insurance companies deny claims,
detect patterns for denials and initiate departmental
process improvement to prevent denials from occurring to ensure that patients’ insurance will cover their
services.
What I wanted to be when I grew up:
I wanted to be a veterinarian because I have always
loved animals. I took medical assistant courses after
graduating from high school, but ended up working in
the Pharmacy instead. My husband encouraged me to
pursue a nursing career.
Hometown / Where I live now:
Burlington / West Burlington
Family:
• Husband, Darren
• Mother, Sherry Nelson
• Brother, Bryan Nelson
• Dogs, Skeeter and Hank
• Lots of nieces and nephews, and some awesome
in-laws
Things I enjoy:
Going to country music concerts, especially Keith
Urban and Chris Stapleton (he’s my secret crush!)
watching Hawkeye football, going to our cabin on
the river and boating. I love shooting firearms at the
firing range. I’m a pretty good shot – it helps that my
husband was a firearms instructor!
If you could choose anyone, whom would you pick
as your mentor?
My brother Jay, who passed away 2½ years ago. He
was a janitor at Grimes School. He went to work every
day without fail and gave 100 percent. Everyone who
met him loved him. He proved that no matter what
occupation you have, you can touch the lives of others
and leave a lasting impression. He made me want to be
a better person
People would be surprised to know …
I love raw oysters!
What’s your favorite line from a movie or television
show?
“Maybe the dingo ate your baby!” (“Seinfeld”)
What’s the most-recent app you’ve downloaded?
Waze. It tells you what is on the road ahead of you
when traveling, like car accidents and road hazards.
What is your biggest achievement?
Being a flight nurse for MedForce