You only need to speak with Bob Besinger for a few minutes to realize he is a people person. Quick to laugh and eager to listen, Bob brings his bright personality and passion for helping others to his role as a Medicare counselor with Trellis.
After retiring from a career in human resources around six years ago, Bob found himself seeking new ways to enrich his days. “I wanted something more challenging than stocking shelves once a month. I wanted to find something that had some ‘meat’ to it,” he shares, describing his desire to take on a volunteer role that resonated with his expertise and ability to connect with people.
Bob learned about Trellis’ Medicare counseling volunteer opportunity through a notice in the Star Tribune. At the time he was looking into Medicare for himself and found it to be more complicated than he expected. “I thought [Medicare counseling] might be a good opportunity for me to dive in and learn something about it. That was the motivation for me.” Following his training with Trellis staff, he began meeting with people to answer their questions about Medicare in 2019.
Volunteer counselors like Bob provide unbiased information about Medicare so people can choose the options that work best for them. Bob explains, “I’m there to give them information, answer questions, and help them. They’re the ones that have to make the decisions.”
“Just the thank you people give is meaningful.”
-Volunteer Bob Besinger
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and in-person counseling appointments weren’t possible, Bob joined Trellis as a seasonal employee, helping answer calls on the Senior LinkAge Line during Medicare open enrollment. “That’s just who he is—someone willing to jump in and help wherever he can,” says Trellis Volunteer Coordinator Josh Reuvers.
While Bob appreciated the chance to help people over the phone, he was eager to get back to in-person counseling in late 2021. Since that time he has continued to meet with people face to face to help them navigate their Medicare options. “When the counseling session is done, I have a feeling that I’ve really helped someone have a better understanding of the choices they have. It’s satisfying,” explains Bob.
“I can always count on Bob to fill in if other volunteer counselors can’t attend an appointment,” says Josh. “All I have to do is call, and nine times out of ten, Bob is willing to step in.”
“I look forward to the counseling,” says Bob. “I guess that’s why when Josh calls and needs someone to fill in somewhere, I’m always thinking, ‘Sure, I’m up for that.’”
When asked what has kept him coming back to volunteer year after year, Bob says it’s the gratitude people share with him: “Just the thank you people give is meaningful.”
Trellis volunteers like Bob help hundreds of people navigate Medicare each year. If you or someone you know needs help understanding Medicare, you can make an appointment to meet with a counselor in person or over the phone.
