Kudos for counselors

Name: Dianne Stone
Volunteer Name: Linette Stevens (Jackson County)

Linette was amazing, so patient and generous with her time. She walked me through all the various choices and I felt entirely confident in her information and objectivity--no hidden agendas--just a desire to help in whatever way she could. I called her numerous times--I mean, many...and she was so available and willing to help with the most minute details (I am a "details" person) Linette is a wonderful person, and also VERY well trained on all the details, nuances, ins and outs of all the various plans, from the Medigap supplement to the various drug plans...Advantage too, although I wasn't interested in it, she could compare/contrast for me. I am so grateful, in these days of "everything being all about business" to have someone like Linette to speak with who is simply available to help and to give from her heart! So happy to be able to send major kudos and virtual flowers to Linette for her steady hand at the wheel when I was treading through unknown territory. Many thanks to SHIBA!!!

Name: Blossom Van Houten
Volunteer Name: Pam (Washington County)

Pam spent many hours explaining the whole medicare process,especially the differences between the available policies. She guided me through the on-line information and gave me directions as to what I should look for and how to compare the different policies. She helped me find information about which doctors and medical providers were in the network of the plan I chose. I would have ended up with a totally unsatisfactory plan if it weren't for Pam. I feel very confident that I have the correct plan for my situation. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Name: George Michael Provine
Volunteer Name: Daniel (Clackamas County)

I phoned the Oregon SHIBA Office today to get help understanding my options concerning Medicare Advantage and Supplemental Plans. I was fortunate to speak to Counselor Daniel. He was very knowledgeable and informative. I had many specific questions about Medicare and my options. I am a senior citizen and I will probably change my Provider soon. It has been difficult for me during the past several months to find answers concerning this complex and confusing subject. Daniel was a wealth of information and is also mailing me a Booklet to further assist me. I am grateful Daniel was available and compliment SHIBA for having such an outstanding representative. Thank you. George Michael Provine, Oregon City, Oregon.

Name: June
Volunteer Name: Roxann and Lynelle

I want to let you know that both Lynelle and Roxann provided great customer service. They were friendly, empathetic and precise in explaining very complex insurance information. Roxann went the extra mile and researched my questions. I was a workforce development specialist and know the value of hiring the right person for the job. Kudos to whoever hired Roxann and Lynnelle. They are definitely the right people for what they do. 

Name: Vera Silva
Volunteer Name: Linette Stevens
County: Jackson

Linette Stevens went above and beyond what she had to do to resolve my issue. She understood exactly what the problem was and did everything she could to help get it resolved. Thank you Linette.

Date: 11/16/2022

Name: Holly Wells
Volunteer Name: Pat Zimmerman
County: Multnomah

Pat was faced with a lot of computer "weirdness," but hung in through them all. (E.g. both of us going to the exact same web address from our two locations--and not having identical info on the pages that came up.) Lived very nearby, so she decided to come to my house. Wonderfully patient and friendly. I knew what I needed to do by the time she left!

Date: 11/4/2022

Name: Grace
Volunteer Name: Mitch
County: Lane

I wanted to let you know how helpful Mitch Tlustos in Florence was for me recently. When I became eligible for Medicare, I tried to be proactive and get my health care covered as I thought my OHP was ending. Very long and frustrating story commenced of me trying to navigate several government agencies and inurance companies as there were issues and contradicting information between them. Frankly I was in tears and and was ready to give up. One of the agencies gave me the number to SHIBA and it was going to be my very last effort to get it straightened out. I called and left my number and Mitch called me back. I live in the country and I have satellite phone service, which sucks. People cant hear me and it is constantly breaking up. Mitch hung in there with me the whole time. He listened to the mess I was in and truly offered to help. Having nothing to lose, I let him go for it. Soon I heard back from him and he had advocated for me with the agencies and helped me figure out a strategy to deal with the insurance companies. He got all the answers I needed to make informed decisions. I am forever grateful. My anxiety level went from 10 to 2. I also know if I have questions in the future I could contact him for help. Thanks millions Mitch! My only wish is I had called SHIBA first instead of last. I had no idea how complicated turning 65 could be. I hope there is a way you can advertise to elders for your services. I will pass on your contact information to any I can as SHIBA and Mitch have been so helpful to me. 

Date: 10/26/2022

Name: Julie S.
Volunteer Name: Pat Zimmerman
County: Multnomah

A big shout-out to Pat Zimmerman for all her help in guiding my husband and myself through the Medicare sign up process. She has such knowledge of the system and is able to communicate in a clear and concise manner. We felt much more comfortable and confident after meeting with Pat and were better able to make our Medicare decisions. Thank you, Pat, and the SHIBA team, for everything you do!

Date: 10/9/2022

Name: Alan
Volunteer Name: SueAnn
County: Wasco

What a fantastic Medicare counselor. Goes above and beyond. Does detailed analysis and research when required. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Knows the complex Medicare rules and it is truly a blessing to have her. Overall assessment - simply outstanding!

Date: 5/14/2022

Name: Lisa Jo Frech
Volunteer Name: Sue Ann Arguelles
County: Union

Oh my gosh, I cannot believe how complex it is to move from Marketplace to Medicare. I now understand WHY it is so complex, but in wading through all the material from Social Security, Marketplace, Medicare, the IRS, and my health insurance provider, I was drowning, lost, and increasingly anxious. My advanced level of education couldn't help me, neither could friends who'd already signed up because we all have different needs, and neither could online sources. I needed help and I needed it right away because the more I read, the longer it seemed like it would take to decide what choices to make. Enter Sue Ann. My angel! Over 2 long phone conversations and a few short emails in between, the 2 of us were able to figure out not only the best options for me, but also why they were the best options. Marketplace is a relatively new program, that was not made to fit well into an old, established program like Medicare, so there are bumps in the road to transition. Sue Ann helped me figure out how to avoid the biggest bumps, i.e. very expensive bumps. With her knowledge, patience, kindness, and thoroughness, we got there. I cannot begin to image how others navigate this transition without help from a real person, let alone somebody like Sue Ann. She is FABULOUS. And I am deeply grateful!! Thank you Sue Ann and SHIBA!!! LJF

Date: 11/03/2021

Name: Jean R. Natter
Volunteer Name: Karen
County: Washington

Karen, Thank you so much for the assistance with registering for my Medicare Plan this year. And thank you for the info about becoming a SHIBA volunteer. During the past years, SHIBA Volunteers have been a great help to me while navigating through the yearly Medicare sign-up events. Take care, Jean

Date: 9/20/2021

Name: John W.
Volunteer Name: Bob Berman
County: Lincoln

I just wanted to thank you for all the good advice you gave me on my Medicare coverage. Thanks for your guidance on my total out of pocket cost. I certainly would not have saved any money by going with a different supplement. 

Date: 9/10/2021

Name: Mark Chien
Volunteer Name: Jim Sellers
County: Polk

We have met with Jim twice and he is very knowledgeable and patient. Best of all, he's a good listener. He followed up very quickly with answers to questions and informational materials. Jim helped to take the fear out of doing battle with the Medicare dragon. We appreciate his counsel and wisdom, and would highly recommend him to colleagues, family, and friends. Thanks, Jim! 

Date: 6/14/2021

Name: John Blythe
Volunteer Name: Karen Schell
County: Washington

I would like to thank Karen for her help. She helped my wife last year and it was a lengthy call and always patient and willling to answer questions no matter how silly. This year was my turn and was lucky enough to get Karen again. As before she was kind and patient with me and gave me some great advice. You are lucky to have someone like her that is so willing those of us that truly need it. 

Date: 4/6/2021

Name: Anonymous
Volunteer Name: Anonymous
County: Wasco

Dear SHIBA, How can I thank you for all that you have done for me? So much work! And, beautifully done. Hopefully you have initiated a close to this problem so it won't pop up again. I so appreciate you! 

Date: 3/9/2021

Name: Lisa Gielow
Volunteer Name: Al Haas
County: Jackson

Al was friendly, helpful, thorough, and clearly assisted me! Thank God for him, or I would have been far too overwhelmed on my own. 

Date: 2/17/2021

Name: Rocio Munoz
Volunteer Name: Norberto Maas
County: Benton

Worked patiently, at my pace, and walked me through the process so I could help my dad. He was amazing! Met me culturally and linguistically and could not be happier with our experience. 

Date: 10/29/2020

Name: Janet and Dan Carter
Volunteer Name: Luce Harrington
County: Washington

Luce truly saved the day for my husband and me. His retiree employer health insurance plan changes in January 2021, from a Medicare employer plan to an advantage care employer plan. Thanks to Luce's knowledge and assistance, Dan was able to get a guaranteed issue supplemental medical policy from the Oregon insurance market. He gets to keep his doctors. We are so very grateful to her and the SHIBA coordinator. Janet and Dan Carter

Date: 9/25/2020

Name: Richard Richter
Volunteer Name: Craig Parker
County: Marion

I would like to thank all those who helped me at NWSDS and SHIBA, but most especially Craig Parker. His great assistance was commendable. He was always cordial, courteous, thorough, knowledgeable and attentive to detail. He was a real pleasure to work with. A great asset to the organization! Thank you very much!!

Date: 6/25/2020

Name: Jodine Sampson
Volunteer Name: Frank Arndt
County: Clackamas

Shelley Arrowwood said she called for help with applying for Medicare and spoke with Frank. She said, “He was an incredible help and made the process smooth and understandable for her.”

Date: 1/8/2019

Name: Wendy A K May, Client Services Coordinator Canby Adult Center
Volunteer name: Arvin Hille
County: Clackamas

Arvin was a great volunteer. He was sent out to meet with a client, Dennis, last week. What an awesome job he did. The client can be a bit difficult, Arvin handled it beautifully. Thank you, Wendy

Date: 11/16/2018

Name: Jodi M. Altendorf
Volunteer name: Hollis Fishelson-Holstine
County: Benton

Date: 09/13/2018

Name: Dick Cronn
Volunteer name: Kim Castro
County: Clackamas

Last year my wife and I stepped from our employer health and welfare program after around 40 years. It was quite an experience. I/we had attended various seminars over the past few years some of which were done by SHIBA volunteers. The information we received and the SHIBA book were extremely informative and helpful.

I am so grateful for your help and in particular, Kim Castro, was so outstanding in guiding us through the maze of information. She was so good in pointing out various options and kept us focused on “what is best for us and our situation”.

Thanks again for all you do and a hearty kudos to Kim. She is outstanding!

Date: 08/02/2018

Name: Emmy Ageros
Volunteer name: Bob Earnest
County: Multnomah

I want to express my thanks for SHIBA for all the excellent advise I have received these past few months with navigating our Medicare system

I want to thank Cecilia Carlson for helping schedule appointments and especially Bob Earnest for tirelessly helping me through the process. He has a wealth of knowledge and was very kind and patient with me. I can not thank him enough!

SHIBA is an outstanding organization!

Thank you very much