As of yesterday, all SHIIP offices are no longer taking in person appointments or walk ins. While our offices are closed for in-person visitors, all SHIIP locations continue to offer assistance by phone. The Lincoln office is also offering counseling services by WebEx for anyone who would prefer this type of interaction. Some SHIIP staff/reps are continuing to work from their office and other staff/reps are working from home. Regardless of where we may be working, we are still here to answer any questions by phone or email from volunteers, Medicare beneficiaries and providers. If there is anything we can assist you with, please reach out to your regional office or to the Lincoln office at 402-471-2841.
What can you do to help?
The greatest need SHIIP has at the moment is to educate the public on the scams and fraud happening related to COVID-19. We have heard reports of phone calls, emails, social media posts and scammers going door to door in attempts to collect Medicare and other personal information. In most cases scammers are offering testing kits, vaccines or even cures for COVID-19. Please educate any one you speak with, while maintaining “social distancing”, on these topics so they do not become a victim to these scams. I have attached a few resources that may be shared. Staying in line with the CDC’s recommendations we do not expect you to visit senior centers or congregate living facilities to help spread the fraud prevention message, first and foremost, we want you to be safe. So please take this as an opportunity to help in your local communities, churches and social organization by providing materials via social media, phone or email. SHIIP is posting all scams and fraud activities that we come across on our Facebook page. If you have not yet liked our page, please do so and help us spread awareness of the scams that are currently happening.
More details at: https://doi.nebraska.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-information