What is ELDERinfo?

ELDERinfo is Delaware's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).  It is a public service of the State of Delaware Insurance Department, and funded in part, through a grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS.

What kind of information do you provide?

We provide information regarding:

Medicare

Medicaid

Long Term Care Insurance

Medigap

Medicare+ Choice Options (Medicare Managed Care Plans)

Where are you located?

The ELDERinfo office is in Dover at the offices of the Delaware Insurance Department. In addition, counseling services are provided at 35 sites throughout the state.

Are the counselors paid?

NO. ELDERinfo counselors are volunteers who have completed an extensive training course on health insurance.

Does it cost anything to have a counseling session?

NO. All services provided by the program are free-of-charge.

What kind of materials can someone get through your office?

The ELDERinfo office makes available a broad range of materials produced by the Insurance Department or coming from other unbiased sources. Click here for a complete list of material available free of charge.

Are the ELDERinfo counselors unbiased regarding insurance companies?

YES. In fact, NONE of our counselors sell insurance nor are they connected with any health insurance company.

What exactly do the counselors do?

The counselors provide one-on-one assistance in an objective and confidential manner. Providing hands-on advice and service, the counselors help consumers to better understand their health insurance coverage and benefits.

HOW?

ELDERinfo counselors are trained to answer questions such as these:

How do I sign up for Medicare benefits?

My mother may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB). What are the criteria? How does she apply?

I received all of these hospital bills and I don't understand them. What should I do?

My doctor expects payment at the time of my visit. Do I have to pay them?

Furthermore, counselors protect the consumers from fraud, misdirected collection agencies and unlawful or overzealous providers. The counselors are able to provide this protection by serving as an advocate or intermediary for beneficiaries. They assist with grievance and complaint procedures and detect where legislative changes are needed.

How can I become a counselor for ELDERinfo?

The ELDERinfo office is currently recruiting and training new volunteer counselors. There are two great reasons to become a volunteer counselor: (1) by learning about health insurance and assistance programs, you will understand your own insurance better. (2) assisting others in your community is rewarding. For more information on how to become a counselor and what such a commitment entails, click here.