Become a Counselor

CLAIM is always seeking volunteers who want to help others in their community understand their Medicare healthcare benefit and assist them on a one-on-one basis. Volunteer counselors form the heart of the CLAIM program. As a community-based, grassroots effort the program is founded on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors.

Currently over 200 counselors serve the needs of the nearly 1 million Missourians with Medicare. We’re hoping to increase that number to over 300. They provide the local links that keep our program running.

What do Volunteer Counselors Do?

Our certified counselors provide the majority of answers to Missourians with Medicare questions.

When someone asks CLAIM for help, we take down their questions and contact information. This is sent to a CLAIM Counselor in their area. They then contact the person by phone and answer their questions or, when necessary, meet in person to tackle tougher problems. (Our Partner Organizations provide Counselors with a safe, neutral location for one-on-one meetings.)

We ask that Counselors provide at least six hours of volunteer time each month.

Our staff provides extensive training, beginning with a 4 ½ day Medicare Training Course to certify our volunteers as Counselors. Following that, this certification is maintained through continual training, keeping them up-to-date on the latest Medicare information.

Who can become a Counselor?

Nearly any adult can become a volunteer counselor for CLAIM. They come from all walks of life. Many former clients become volunteers. They say they are impressed by the knowledge of our counselors and see the need to spread that knowledge to others. Others are retirees seeking a way to serve their community. Still others work in areas such as senior centers where they frequently hear questions about Medicare. By becoming a CLAIM volunteer, they are better able to do their day-to-day job while also helping a good cause.

The ideal volunteer has:

Dedication
Problem-solving skills
Basic computer skills.

CLAIM volunteers cannot work for insurance companies or sell insurance for at least one year prior to volunteering. They cannot have any potential financial gain from becoming a CLAIM volunteer counselor.

CLAIM Counselor Responsibilities

CLAIM’s Volunteer Counselors are dedicated individuals who give a great deal to improve the lives of Missourians.

Because of the complexity of the Medicare Program and the need to protect the confidentiality of those we serve, CLAIM Counselors are responsible for the following:

Complete the Volunteer Application and sign the Volunteer Agreement and Confidentiality forms
Commit to six hours per month of volunteer time by counseling and/or outreach activities
Have not been active in selling insurance, or worked for an insurance company, for at least one year or have any potential financial gain from being a CLAIM volunteer counselor
Attend a 4 ½ day Medicare Training Course, includes orientation (30 hour training)
Participate in 12 hours of training annually through semi-annual training classes, conferences calls, and other opportunities presented
Ability to find information on the internet
Offer one-on-one counseling at the counseling site, by telephone or at the home of a homebound client if the counselor feels comfortable
Complete counseling reports for each client
Complete events for outreach/media activities
Commit to certification requirements by meeting training requirements and commitment to counseling and/or outreach activities
Will not endorse or recommend an insurance company, policy or agent
Keep client information confidential
Maintain a CLAIM handbook to keep information current
Inform community partner and CLAIM staff if unable to volunteer when scheduled (i.e., during vacation, illness, etc.)

Application

To qualify for this volunteer position, individuals must complete an application, provide three references and sign a conflict of interest and confidentiality statement.

To get started, download the CLAIM Volunteer Application.

Fax the completed form to 573-817-8341 or mail it to:

CLAIM Program
200 N. Keene St.
Columbia, MO 65201

For additional information contact the CLAIM program at 1-800-390-3330 or e-mail dsims@primaris.org.