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2 local women receive top state honors

Two teeam members of the Michigan Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program of the Region 9 Area Agency on Aging received statewide recognition event in East Lansing recently. Kitty Glomski of Alpena was named Site Coordinator of the Year, and Barbara Whalen of Lewiston was named Team Member of the Year.

The MMAP provides free, unbiased counseling assistance to Medicare beneficiaries to assist them in making healthcare decisions. The MMAP is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program for Michigan, which is a federal program.

Glomski is the MMAP Site Coordinator at the Alpena Senior Citizen Center, where she is an employee, and was nominated for the award by her regional coordinator Susan Eagling Bowen with the Region 9 AAA.

“Kitty exemplifies what it means to be a MMAP counselor,” Bowen said. “She’s compassionate, dedicated and very knowledgeable about Medicare and Medicaid issues. She is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure beneficiaries receive the services to which they are entitled and if there is a problem she doesn’t stop until it’s resolved. She is definitely someone you want on your team.”

As a site coordinator, Glomski oversees other certified MMAP counselors who volunteer through the senior center to provide Medicare beneficiaries with free education and assistance. She coordinates volunteers’ schedules and appointments during open enrollment, facilitates outreach events, and provides one-on-one beneficiary counseling services. She has been with the program for over three years

Whalen, who has been a certified counselor for over nine years, was nominated for Team Member of the Year by Bowen, as well.

“Barbara has come to be known in the Lewiston area as the ‘Medicare lady’ and I’ve always joked that she will talk to anyone about Medicare if they stand still long enough for her to start a conversation,” Bowen said.

Over the past couple of years, Whalen has faced many health challenges and in spite of frequent and exhausting trips to the University of Michigan for treatment, she has continued to provide Medicare counseling services to beneficiaries in her community.

“Her love of the program and the people she helps is what keeps her going. She is an inspiration to us all,” Bowen said. “Many people would have given up helping others a long time ago, but it’s a part of who she is.”

Other counselors receiving awards on behalf of Region 9 were: Jan Williamson, Roscommon County, Most Hours for a Volunteer (760 hours), Most Counseling Hours for a Volunteer (672) and Most Outreach Hours for a Volunteer (38); Danielle Kleinhuizen, Otsego County, Most Counseling Hours for a non-volunteer (547); Sarah Skowronski, Otsego County, Most Outreach Hours for a non-volunteer (20). Additionally, Region 9 received an award for Outstanding Achievement on reaching performance measures set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The MMAP is a statewide program that assists people in navigating the complex world of Medicare and, in some instances, Medicaid. Team members – many of whom are volunteers – spend many hours helping beneficiaries understand there healthcare choices and rights. They can facilitate enrollments in Part D prescription plans, appeal a claims denial and apply for subsidies to help cover Medicare healthcare premiums.

“Each MMAP counselor is provided with extensive training to ensure they are up-to-date on the latest issues and changes with Medicare,” Bowen said. “They are a dedicated group of skilled counselors and we are fortunate to have this free program available to Medicare beneficiaries.”

To speak confidentially with a counselor about your Medicare concerns, call 800-803-7174. If you are interested in volunteering, call Bowen at 358-4612. MMAP is a free service that is funded by grants from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services – the Administration for Community Living, the Michigan Aging and Adult Services Agency, and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. MMAP does not receive funding from, nor is it affiliated with, any insurance companies.

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