The world of Medicare can be a maze, and many older adults and persons with disabilities are getting lost. Senior LinkAge Line (SLL) Volunteer Medicare Counselors assist individuals one-on-one in the community to navigate all things Medicare. People who thrive in this role have a personal drive to be lifelong learners; they are ready to do proactive, individualized learning and reliably attend online monthly Medicare Counseling meetings.
Please note: We are not currently recruiting or placing more volunteers for this role, as we are at capacity. If you are interested, please apply, but know it may be several months before we reach out—or please consider applying to a similar role as a Senior LinkAge Line Call Center Volunteer.
Volunteer Benefits
- Be a vital team member and directly impact the lives of older adults and caregivers.
- Make a real difference in someone’s life with every counseling session.
- Share your knowledge with individuals who truly appreciate it.
- Develop a spectrum of marketable skills while receiving ongoing support, education, and training.
- Expand your social network and increase your professional development opportunities.
- Receive volunteer mileage reimbursement.
Volunteer Role
Senior LinkAge Line (SLL) Medicare Counselors are trained to help others:
- Understand Medicare basics.
- Compare Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plan options.
- Understand and compare Medicare Part D choices.
- Screen for eligibility for Medical Assistance and low-income programs.
- Promote Medicare counseling appointments, particularly through materials distribution and word of mouth.
- Identify, report, and prevent Medicare Fraud and Abuse.
- Be unbiased with health plans.
Volunteer Requirements
- Intermediate computer skills. Ability to navigate computer software such as Microsoft Office applications, use email and web browsers, and attend video calls through Teams or Zoom.
- Ability to work independently, and in a team, while making appropriate decisions.
- Exceptional communication and customer service skills.
- Being comfortable not knowing every answer and receiving consistent coaching.
- Reliable transportation. This role requires travel to community locations.
- Compliance with agency non-conflict of interest, confidentiality, and other policies.
- Sensitivity to the needs of older adults, persons with disabilities, and other diverse populations.
- Desire to assist older adults and caregivers to understand their Medicare options.
Volunteer Training
- Onboard and train at the Trellis office and online.
- Trellis will support you through weekly online training sessions as you learn and gain confidence in this new content area.
- Shadowing other SLL Medicare Counselors at our community counseling sites.
- Online certifications: Completion of State Health Insurance Assistance Program certification, Data Privacy training, and Vulnerable Adult Mandated Reporter certification.
- Receive ongoing training sessions, supervision, and shadow support visits.
- Attend a monthly online SLL Medicare Counselor meeting to receive updates and additional training.
- We recommend all new volunteers attend the following free presentations: How the Senior LinkAge Line Can Help You and Fraud & Scams Targeting Older Adults.
Time Investment
Trellis is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Medicare counseling appointments are available during this timeframe. Time investment will vary depending on a volunteer’s availability and preference. We ask for a commitment of 1 year to the counseling program. Volunteers are responsible for logging their volunteer, educational, and training time in our online portal.
Volunteer Setting
SLL Medicare Counseling Volunteers complete some onboarding and training at our office in Arden Hills, but most training sessions take place online. Medicare counseling sessions are hosted by our community partners, so locations vary (to see a list of our current counseling sites, please click here). Volunteers work under the direct supervision of Volunteer Coordinators.
For More Information:
If you have questions, please contact a volunteer coordinator at volunteer@trellisconnects.org or call 651-917-4637.
