• Senior Health Insurance Information Program- The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) helps older Iowans find answers to questions about Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, Medicare+Choice, long term care insurance, and other health insurance issues. The program is administered through the Insurance Division of the Iowa Department of Commerce. SHIIP is an unbiased information source that offers information and confidential counseling at no charge to older Iowans. For SHIIP services call 1-800-351-4664 or e-mail: shiip@iid.iowa.gov. For more information and publications, visit SHIIP's website located at: http://www.therightcalliowa.gov.
  
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• New Medicare Tool for Personalized Information Medicare is now offering Iowans a way to access personalized information about their Medicare benefits and services.  A new Internet tool, My.Medicare.gov offers eight services to help people make better health care choices and keep track of their Medicare information. Information you can access includes:
  
  Health care claims—Under “My Claims” you can review your most recent Medicare claims.  You can also select a month of service, up to six months past, and review your claims.  Copies of Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), the official Medicare claims statement, can be ordered from this page. 
  
  Preventive services information—“My Preventive Services” lists the preventive services covered by Medicare, the last date you received this service and the next date you are eligible to receive the preventive service under Medicare.
  
  Part B deductible status—The home page for this web site includes a report on the amount of Part B deductible you’ve met for the year and the amount remaining to be met.
  
  Eligibility information—Another section of the home page shows which Medicare benefits you are enrolled in (Part A and B) and their effective dates.
  
  Prescription drug (Part D) enrollment information—“My Enrollment” page explains your enrollment status in Medicare plans, including drug plans.  It will also link you to information about plans if you are not currently enrolled.
  
  Address on record with Medicare—The “My Profile” page shows your current address on record with Medicare and a link is provided to change your address .
  
  Order a replacement Medicare card—If you’ve lost your Medicare Card “My Profile” page also offers a link to request a replacement card.
  
  Online forms and publications—Links to Medicare forms and publications can be found.     
  To use My Medicare, you need to register as a user.  Go to http://My.Medicare.gov and click on Create an Account.  Enter your Medicare number from your Medicare card and complete the information requested.  You will receive your password by mail in about 14 days.  You can then use your password to access your personal account at My Medicare.  You will also be able to select a password of your choosing once you access your personal account.
  
  If you would like help registering on My Medicare or do not have a computer to access the web site, your local SHIIP site can help.  SHIIP counselors can help you register and later help you access your personal account if you choose. To find the SHIIP site nearest you call 1-800-351-4664 (TTY 1-800-735-2942) or go to www.shiip.state.ia.us and selecting “Find a SHIIP Counselor.”  SHIIP services are free, confidential and objective.
  

• Senior Transportation - The Iowa Department on Aging is a member of the Statewide Transportation Coordination Council. The purpose of the council is to review information and policies related to the coordination of transit providers statewide and to make recommendations for related transit coordination policy issues.
  
  The National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) web site at www.seniortransportation.net offers extensive resources toward the advancement of transportation options for older adults who wish to live more independently within their communities. The web site includes information and resources for the public, including announcements, facts and tips, publications, special events, opportunities of others, as well as technical assistance for the aging and human service community, transit providers, and older adults and caregivers.
  
  NCST is a partnership of Easter Seals Inc. and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Additional team members include the Community Transportation Association of America, the National Association of State Units on Aging, the American Society on Aging and the Beverly Foundation. A national steering committee helps to guide the center's work.
  
  Several publications relating to older drivers have been developed by Iowa Department of Transportation. A description of each of these publications and the link to the document are listed below:
  
  
  • Driving Retirement, Planning and Making it Work: The two sections of this booklet are designed to assist families in planning safe transportation options - 1) Drivers and their families - planning for change and 2) Public transit - remaining mobile. http://www.iamvd.com/ods/drivingretirement.pdf
    
  • Driving With Diminished Skills: Because driving is a complex task, drivers need to be sure they have the mental and physical capacity for driving safely as they experience changes due to aging. This booklet includes information about driving with normal aging changes and driving with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. http://www.iamvd.com/ods/diminishedskills.pdf
    
  • Older Drivers and Risk: We as Americans - and especially as Iowans - value the independence of getting around in our own vehicles and staying connected with our families and communities. Freedom of mobility shapes our quality of life. How we IDAl with changes in our driving ability and eventually choose when and how to retire from driving will affect our safety and our quality of life. This booklet explores key facts about safety and risks for older drivers. http://www.iamvd.com/ods/olderdrivers.pdf
    
  • Driver's License Renewal in Iowa: "Our goal is to provide the kind of service that encourages drivers to let us help them make safe driving decisions. We don't want people to be afraid when they come into our driver's license stations. We will take the time to listen and work with older drivers on options that may allow them to continue to drive safely. Taking someone's license away is the very last thing we want to do." Kim Snook, Office of Driver's Services, Iowa DOT. This booklet explains the renewal process including the vision screening, medical requirements, driving tests and also includes the Iowa Driver's License Station addresses and hours of operation. http://www.iamvd.com/ods/dlrenewal.pdf
    
  • A Practical Guide for Senior Drivers: This book will help you refresh your knowledge of safe driving rules and practices. Your workbook includes questions on Iowa law, rules for safe driving, and the meaning of signs.http://www.iamvd.com/ods/senior.pdf
    

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Other Resources

For additional resources on Health & Living, consult the following sections on our related links page:

• General Health & Living Links
• Iowa Health & Living Links