I must disclose that I have a vested interest in the success of the Medicare program. First, RSVP is the local sponsor of the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program for Linn and Benton counties, and we see the enormous need for assistance every day. Second, I'm a mere decade away from qualifying for Medicare myself and hope it remains viable, in some form, for the boomer generation and beyond.

What brought about the Medicare program? According to the Social Security Administration, the 1950 census showed a rising tide of aging Americans, two-thirds of whom had incomes of less than $1,000 annually. Insurance companies considered the older people a poor risk. Therefore, it was difficult for them to purchase insurance coverage.

After much debate, Medicare was conceived in 1965. It was intended to provide an economic safety net against the rising costs of health care for Americans 65 and older. Several years later, Medicare eligibility was extended to people with disabilities and people with end-stage renal disease.

In 1991, the SHIBA program - known as SHIP programs in most of the states - was founded in Oregon through a federal Health Care Administration grant. Linn-Benton RSVP was chosen to sponsor two of the 23 programs in the state. Nationally the volunteers provide personalized counseling and assistance to 43 million Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers, who need help navigating the increasingly complex health care system, including the Medicare program.

Most Medicare beneficiaries prefer to receive information about Medicare through one-on-one assistance rather than written materials, mass media and the Internet.

Linn and Benton County SHIBA volunteers provide accurate, understandable and objective information, counseling, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries on a wide range of health insurance issues, including Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care and prescription drugs.

A large number and variety of private plan options are available in the Medicare program, including Medicare Advantage plans (both those that offer prescription drug coverage and those that do not) and the free-standing Prescription Drug Plans. Making the right choice is best accomplished with the type of one-on-one counseling provided by SHIBA volunteers. Such counseling is an essential component to the information provided more generally through www.Medicare.gov and 800-MEDICARE.

Locally, the program volunteers address issues such as health insurance, fraud and abuse issues and advocacy for seniors. The volunteers refer seniors to the appropriate organizations and services. Anyone about to turn age 65 should contact the local SHIBA program before making decisions that impact insurance coverage.

I like to applaud the people who inquire about the services of SHIBA, as they realize the importance of choosing the best insurance to meet both medical needs and economic value. Recently several people who have called for SHIBA appointments have said that their friends who used SHIBA services were able to select insurance policies that saved them the most money.

The open enrollment period for Medicare Part D plans (prescription coverage) extends from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31. Unfortunately, along with this open enrollment period, seniors should be aware that scam artists are on the prowl to take advantage of any confusion.

In recent weeks, reports have reached local SHIBA volunteers of seniors receiving calls from people stating they are "from Social Security" and attempting to get the senior to release bank account information. If the senior hesitates to release bank information, the caller persists and hints that Social Security payments might be affected. Seniors should be aware that Social Security employees would never contact them by phone for banking information, and that receipt of their monthly benefits is not at risk.

SHIBA volunteers also have learned of situations where an insurance agent has appeared uninvited and unannounced on the senior's doorstep to sell a new plan. Medicare rules call for all insurance agents to make prior arrangements for any home visit to a senior and to visit only at the senior's invitation.

In any of the above cases, or in any situation where a senior feels uncomfortable or confused by information related to the open enrollment period or any topic related to Medicare, the senior should contact the Benton County RSVP office at 753-9197. In Linn County call the RSVP office at 812-0849.

To make an appointment with a SHIBA volunteer, call the Corvallis Senior Center at 766-6959 or the Albany Senior Center at 917-7760. Appointments are required.

Beth Fox is the Director of the Linn Benton Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. She can be reached at 753-9197 or by email at bfox@csc.gen.or.us . For more information about volunteering in Linn and Benton Counties, check out www.lbvision.org.