Nebraska Department of Insurance

Welcome to Medicare - Lincoln

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As you approach Medicare eligibility, you will soon realize the complexities and confusion that often come with the Medicare program. Medicare is a program that is made up of ever-changing parts, countless dates, and specific rules depending on your situation. Because of the complexity of the program, many newly-eligible individuals find themselves lost in a Medicare maze. One wrong turn can end up delaying your coverage or even preventing enrollment to certain parts of Medicare.

Medicare ABCs - Scottsbluff

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NOTE: 5:30PM - 7:00PM MDT

Confused? You don’t have to navigate Medicare alone!

Learn the basic Medicare information everyone needs to know: what is covered, how much it costs, when to enroll to avoid penalties, where to get impartial counseling and financial help. Get answers to your individual questions.

The class will cover the following information:

Welcome to Medicare - Lincoln

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Medicare ABC's - Scottsbluff

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NOTE: 5:30PM - 7:00PM MDT

Confused? You don’t have to navigate Medicare alone!

The class will cover the following information:

Welcome to Medicare - Lincoln

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Register online/more informaiton: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ec9xrt62c74449d2&llr=klqrezcab

Medicare Open Enrollment

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When’s the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?

Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15 - December 7.

What’s the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

How do people know if they need to change plans?

People in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials their plans send them, like the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC). If their plans are changing, they should make sure their plans will still meet their needs for the following year. If they’re satisfied that their current plans will meet their needs for next year and it’s still being offered, they don’t need to do anything.

When can people get information about next year’s Medicare plans?

Information for next year’s plans will be available beginning in October.

Do you review? Open Enrollment Information

Find a Local Office

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Please call 1-800-234-7119 to schedule an appointment.

Nebraska SHIP & SMP - Lincoln
1526 K Street, Suite 201
Lincoln, NE 68508

402-471-2841

Scottsbluff SHIP & SMP Office
1930 E 20th Place, Suite 200 B
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

308-765-5546

By Appointment Only

Northeast NE Area Agency on Aging
110 N. 37th Street, Unit 101
Norfolk, NE 68701

402-370-3454

Grand Island SHIP & SMP
304 East 3rd
Grand Island, NE 68801

402-471-2841

South Central NE Area Agency on Aging
620 E. 25th Street, Suite 12
Kearney, NE 68847

308-234-1851

Volunteers Assisting Seniors
900 S 74th Plaza, Suite 403
Omaha, NE 68114

402-444-6617

West Central NE Area Agency on Aging
115 North Vine Street
North Platte, NE 69101

308-535-8195

Burt, Dodge and Washington Counties
111 North 13th Street
Tekamah, NE 68061

402-380-9554 - During Open Enrollment
By Appointment Only

If you have any questions concerning the SHIP/SMP program, you may e-mail them to: DOI.SHIP@nebraska.gov.

SHIIP Videos

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Nebraska SHIP & SMP

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Questions about Medicare? We can help.

Call us at 1.800.234.7119

Please note that our office is experiencing telephone issues.

If you are are trying to connect with our Beatrice, Grand Island or Lincoln locations, please call the Department directly at 402.471.2201 and ask to be transferred.

Thank you for your patience as we work through this issue.

Nebraska SHIP, State Health Insurance Assistance Program, empowers, educates, and assists Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through objective outreach, counseling, and training, to make informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to care and benefits.

Nebraska SMP, Senior Medicare Patrol, empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.

The federal government, through the Administration on Community Living (ACL), funds a SHIP and SMP in every state. The Nebraska SHIP & SMP is a division of the Nebraska Department of Insurance. SHIP & SMP does not sell insurance, nor does it endorse any insurance company, product, or agent.

Nebraska SHIP & SMP has a statewide network of certified counselors and partner organizations. Our counselors receive extensive training on Medicare and are available to meet for one-on-one counseling, to help with problem solving, provide support during decision making, and assist with identifying potential Medicare fraud, error, or abuse. SHIP & SMP counselors will not recommend policies, companies, or insurance agents, but will provide free, confidential, and unbiased assistance.

The Nebraska SHIP & SMP offers a toll-free hotline that any person eligible for Medicare, relatives, friends, or providers can call for answers to insurance questions, to report potential fraud or abuse, or to arrange a meeting with a SHIP & SMP counselor.

If you would like to speak to your local Nebraska SHIP & SMP office, call our hotline at 1.800.234.7119.

Do you compare? Click on the links below to review 2025 plan options in Nebraska.

Nebraska Part D Plans 2025

2025 Medicare Advantage Plans in Nebraska

Nebraska SHIP & SMP has a podcast! New episodes will be released on the first Wednesday of each month.

What's Up With Medicare

Link to Podcast House Media
Link to iTunes
Link to Spotify

Nebraska SMP - Working to Stop Medicare Fraud

SHIP Brochures and CMS Resources

Find Your Local SHIP & SMP

Medicare Classes

National SHIP Locator

SMP Resource Center

Volunteer Resources

Medicare Resources from Social Security

SHIP SMP National Logo

Volunteers are crucial to the success of Nebraska SHIP & SMP. SHIP & SMP volunteers gain tremendous satisfaction in knowing that they've made a difference for a senior citizen or someone with a disability. Volunteering is rewarding and volunteers can choose their level of involvement! New volunteers complete an initial training and have a goal of helping a minimum of 24 people with Medicare each year. Additionally, nursing and social work professionals can earn continuing education hours from training hours.

Volunteer Brochure

Medicare.gov
The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare. Compare and enroll in drug and health plans, information regarding Medicare.

Social Security Administration
The Official Website of the U.S. Social Security Administration. Apply for Medicare Parts A and B. Also apply for extra help for prescription drugs.

Medicare Account Login
Medicare's free, secure online service for accessing personalized information regarding Medicare benefits and services.

WPS Medicare
WPS is the CMS Medicare Contractor which provides Medicare Part A and B benefits. Medicare beneficiaries will receive information from this organization when they use Medicare services.

ACCESSNebraska
Part of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; individuals can: select a self-screening application to determine the programs for which they may be eligible (including Medicaid, TANF, ADC, and Energy Assistance), complete an online application for programs for which they are eligible, and print a paper application that can be completed and mailed.

Nebraska's Area Agencies on Aging
Nebraska has several Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). The Aging Network in Nebraska is made up of individuals and organizations in the public and private sectors. A comprehensive list of services and resources is available.

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
The goal of the Nebraska SMP is to help individuals identify and report possible Medicare or Medicaid fraud, error or waste and to provide tips on how consumers can protect themselves from healthcare scams.

Livanta

Livanta is a Beneficiary and Family-Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO). BFCC-QIOs are responsible for medical case review, which supports the rights of people on Medicare.

A Shopper's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance
A LTC guide published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

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NOTICE – Signature of Officers on Insurance Policies, Effect of Change in Officers

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Insurance policy forms filed with the Department typically include signatures of insurance company officers. In the past, a change of insurance company officers could require the insurer to submit new policy forms with the new officers’ names and signatures. With the new officers’ signatures in the policy form, all new contracts would contain correct officers on the date of contract inception.