Outreach

Welcome & Workshops
Help With Costs
Fraud & Appeals

Welcome to THE SOURCE of free, accurate, unbiased Medicare assistance.

Navigating Medicare can often feel like learning a new language. At Volunteers Assisting Seniors (VAS), we serve as your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Our mission is to provide the Omaha community with free, unbiased, and confidential information. We want you to feel confident in the healthcare decisions you make.

Why Work With VAS?

  • Completely Unbiased: We are not insurance agents. We do not sell any products or represent any specific plans. Our only goal is to provide the facts.

  • Expert Guidance: Our volunteers are extensively trained to help you understand your benefits and your rights.

  • Local and Accessible: We are your neighbors here in Omaha. We understand the local healthcare landscape and are ready to help.

Join a “New to Medicare” Workshop

Are you approaching age 65 or are you newly eligible due to a disability? Our workshops are designed specifically for you. We break down the “alphabet soup” of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D into simple terms. These sessions are perfect for those who are just starting their journey or those who need a refresher on how the system works.

Douglas County:

New Cassel Retirement Community-900 N 90th Street.  Workshops monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. Click on a link below to register.

Digital Express at Metropolitan Community College Fort Omaha Campus-30th and Fort, Bldg 10. Workshops monthly on the second Thursday. Click on a link below to register.

Get Personalized Help: To find a workshop near you or to schedule a one on one session with a counselor, please call our Omaha office at 402-444-6617.

This section is dedicated to programs that help seniors with limited income and assets manage their healthcare expenses. Many Nebraskans qualify for these programs without realizing it, and our team is here to help you navigate the application process.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)

These state-administered programs help pay for your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, your deductibles and coinsurance. If you qualify for an MSP, you are also automatically eligible for the Extra Help program for your prescriptions.

2026 Eligibility Guidelines for Nebraska:

Program Monthly Income (Individual) Monthly Income (Couple) Asset Limit
QMB (Pays premiums & costs) Up to $1,350 Up to $1,824 $9,950 (Ind) / $14,910 (Cpl)
SLMB (Pays Part B premium) Up to $1,616 Up to $2,184 $9,950 (Ind) / $14,910 (Cpl)
QI (Pays Part B premium) Up to $1,816 Up to $2,455 $9,950 (Ind) / $14,910 (Cpl)

Note: Your primary home and one vehicle do not count toward the asset limit.

Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)

Extra Help is a federal program that helps pay for your Medicare drug plan costs. It is estimated to be worth about $6,200 per year for those who qualify.

2026 Qualifications:

  • Income: Your monthly income must be below $2,015 for an individual or $2,725 for a married couple.

  • Resources: Your total resources (savings, stocks, and bonds) must be below $18,090 for an individual or $36,100 for a couple.

If you qualify, you will pay no more than $5.10 for each generic drug and $12.65 for each brand-name drug. Once your total out of pocket drug costs reach $2,100 for the year, you will pay $0 for all covered drugs.

How to Apply

There are several ways to get started with these programs. We recommend having your recent bank statements and proof of income ready when you apply.

  • Online: Visit the iServe Nebraska portal at iserve.nebraska.gov to apply for the Medicare Savings Programs through the state. For Extra Help, you can apply directly through the Social Security website at ssa.gov.

  • By Phone: Call the Nebraska DHHS ACCESSNebraska line at 855-632-7633 for state programs or the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 for federal assistance.

  • In Person: Visit your local DHHS office here in Omaha or Lincoln.

Get Free Assistance: Applying for these programs can be overwhelming. Our volunteers can help you review your eligibility and walk you through the application forms at no cost. Call our Omaha office at 402-444-6617 to schedule an appointment.

Protecting Your Benefits and Your Rights

Medicare is a valuable benefit, but it can also be a target for scammers. Additionally, there may be times when you disagree with a coverage decision. At Volunteers Assisting Seniors (VAS), we help you protect your benefits through the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and guide you through the formal appeals process.

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

The Nebraska SMP is a program that empowers seniors to prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. Fraud costs the Medicare program billions of dollars every year and can lead to higher costs for everyone.

Protect, Detect, and Report

  • Protect: Treat your Medicare number like a credit card. Do not give it to anyone over the phone or in person unless you initiated the contact or they are a trusted healthcare provider.

  • Detect: Review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) every month. Look for services, supplies, or equipment that you did not receive.

  • Report: If you suspect a mistake or fraud, call the provider first to see if it was a simple billing error. If the issue is not resolved, contact our office or the Nebraska SMP hotline at 1-800-234-7119.

Common Scams in 2026

Be on the lookout for unsolicited offers for “free” genetic testing kits, medical braces, or catheters. Scammers often use these offers to steal your Medicare number and bill the government for services you never requested. Remember that Medicare will never call you uninvited to ask for your personal information or to sell you a new plan.

Understanding the Appeals Process

If Medicare or your private insurance plan refuses to pay for a service or drug that you believe should be covered, you have the right to file an appeal. This is a formal process that allows you to ask for a review of the decision.

How to Start an Appeal

  1. Review Your Notice: When a claim is denied, you will receive a notice in the mail explaining why. This notice will include specific instructions on how to file an appeal.
  2. Gather Evidence: Ask your doctor for a letter or medical records that support why the service or item is medically necessary for your health.
  3. Observe Deadlines: In most cases, you must file your first appeal within 120 days of receiving the denial notice.

For 2026, there are specific financial thresholds if your appeal moves to higher levels. For example, to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (Level 3), the amount in dispute must be at least $200. To reach the Federal District Court level (Level 5), the amount must be at least $1,960.

We Are Your Advocates: You do not have to handle a fraud report or a complicated appeal on your own. Our trained volunteers can help you organize your paperwork and understand your rights at every step of the process. Call us at 402-444-6617 for free, local assistance.