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Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Volunteer update training topics

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We include certain topics in our training every year. As well as recurring topics listed below, all updates also include:

  • Changes that affect clients.
  • New or revised SHIBA publications available through the Dept of Printing (PRT) General Store or the Web.
Month Recurring Topics
January
  • Yearly SHIBA update schedule
  • Reminder: Update make-up process
  • Medicare Advantage (MA) annual dis-enrollment period (ADP)
  • Medicare general enrollment period (GEP)
  • Responding to MA and Part D enrollment problems and reminders of Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)
  • Basic Health and Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP) premiums change
  • New laws or processes taking effect at the start of the year
  • Publications to include:
    • Approved Medigap charts published in December
    • 10 Standardized Medigap Plans chart for the new year
February
  • New Federal Poverty Level (FPL) numbers
  • Whom are we helping (most recent year's data)
  • Publications to include:
    • FPL chart
MarchLocal agenda
April
  • Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) starts using new FPL numbers
  • Volunteer Appreciation month and value of volunteer hours
  • Helping people who missed Medicare's initial and general open enrollment periods
  • Legislative updates, if available
  • Publications to include:
    • Approved Medigap charts published in March
May
  • Legislative updates, if available
JuneLocal agenda
July
  • Volunteer handbook review and updates
  • Volunteer agreements and badges
  • Tips for dealing with overload, including:
    • Consider switching roles
    • Review organization tips
    • Rely on materials, not memorizing
    • Use online tools
  • Basic Health starts using new FPL numbers for income bands
  • Helping clients hitting Part D's coverage gap
  • New laws and procedures taking effect July 1
  • Publications to include:
    • Approved Medigap charts published in June
AugustOff month
September
  • Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) enrollment fairs
  • Back-to-school campaigns
  • Publications to include:
    • Approved Medigap charts published in September
    • Part D publications (new and revised)
October
  • Part D reminders
  • Basic Health open enrollment dates
  • Publications to include:
    • Stand-alone Part D plan list
    • Part D publications (new and revised)
November
  • Part D reminders
  • Publications to include:
    • Part D publications (new and revised)
    • MA plan lists
    • Medicare and You for the new year.
    • Medicare covered services Parts A and B chart for the new year.
DecemberOff month


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