Medicare/Benefits Counseling
Legal Advocacy
Long-term Care Ombudsman

Medicare/Benefits Counseling – There are many complicated questions associated with Medicare, supplemental insurance policies and public benefits. The Medicare/Benefits Counseling program is to help you with Medicare/Medigap information and referrals. Volunteers serve as benefit counselors and are stationed in many Northern Arizona communities. Benefits Counselors can:

• Answer questions about Medicare
• Discuss standardized Medigap policies sold in Arizona
• Help with billing questions
• Give information about long-term care
• Assist with medication discount cards
• Refer to other possible public benefits
• Provide community presentations on Medicare and related benefits

For more information, call the Medicare/Benefits Counseling Program in Flagstaff at (928) 213-5235 or (928) 774-1895 extension 1183, or call toll free at 1(877) 521-3500.

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Legal Advocacy – This service is provided to seniors, age 60 and older, who cannot otherwise obtain legal counsel. Low income and socially needy seniors are given first priority. Legal Assistance can be provided in areas of civil and administrative law, such as benefits from Federal and State governments, for example Social Security, SSI, and ALTCS; Wills and Probate; Powers of Attorney and Living Wills: Property; Housing; and Landlord-Tenant issues. The program can provide community presentations on civil and administrative law issues. The legal program does not provide any assistance with criminal law.

Volunteers serve as legal advocates and are stationed in many Northern Arizona communities. They are supervised by the Legal Advocacy Coordinator, under the direction of a supervising attorney. For more information on Legal Advocacy for Seniors, contact your local senior center or call the Legal Advocacy Program in Flagstaff at (928) 213-5246 or (928) 774-1895 extension 1136, or in Prescott at (928) 776-7871.

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Long-term Care Ombudsman – The Ombudsman Program is dedicated to protecting the rights of residents in Arizona’s long-term care facilities, and to helping residents achieve the best possible quality of life. In cases of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an incapacitated or vulnerable adult, a referral is made to the Adult Protective Services program and to other agencies, as appropriate. An ombudsman coordinator or volunteer can:

• Provide information to residents and their families about resident rights and long-term care policies and procedures
• Identify additional resources for the resident or family in and out of the facility
• Investigate and attempt to resolve complaints submitted by residents, or on behalf of residents
• Work with residents, their families, and facility staff to resolve complaints and concerns
• Provide community presentations on long-term care issues and resident rights

To contact the Ombudsman Coordinator for Apache, Coconino, and Navajo counties call (928) 213-5239 or (928) 774-1895 extension 1147 in Flagstaff.

To contact the Ombudsman Coordinator for Yavapai County call (928) 649-3763 in Cottonwood.

© 2005 Northern Arizona Council of Governments

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