Those who will be eligible for Medicare in the near future or if who have been on Medicare and want to better understand what it offers are invited to a seminar offered at Van Diest Medical Center.

The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and the SHIIP counselors at Van Diest Medical Center are offering a free seminar Tuesday, April 30 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The seminar will be held in the Clinic Board Room located in the Van Diest Family Health Clinic. Those attending are encouraged to use the exterior door (located on the west side of the hospital) leading directly into the Clinic Board Room to access the seminar.

“We’re excited to offer this free seminar to the community,” shared SHIIP volunteer counselor Dalene Schlitter. “Medicare is such an important program and understanding what it offers helps to assure that anyone eligible is able to get the health benefits they deserve,” she added.

The “Welcome to Medicare” seminar will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance. Registration for the seminar is encouraged but not required. To register, please call the local SHIIP phone number at Van Diest Medical Center at 832-7769.

SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa. SHIIP counselors are trained by the state and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents. Van Diest Medical Center is a local sponsor site for SHIIP in Hamilton County with volunteer counselors Dalene Schlitter and Joyce Gelhaus available to meet (by appointment) with Medicare beneficiaries and answer questions about Medicare benefits.