Benefits in Action is a nonprofit organization located in Lakewood, Colorado that serves individuals throughout the state. We strive to increase understanding, access, and utilization of healthcare resources. Our team of navigators works with constituents to help them recognize the health-related benefits they qualify for, apply to those benefits, and utilize them as effectively as possible. We are passionate about the importance of increasing healthcare benefit literacy among the public. Accordingly, we organize and hold educational sessions in public facilities aimed to increase individual understanding and self-efficacy in navigating the healthcare system.

Benefits in Action is dedicated to improving the understanding, access, and utilization of health-related benefits to enhance health and well-being with a focus on the elderly and underserved.

Benefits in Action was founded by Kim Powers, Jane Barnes and Debbie Showalter in 2015. From previous work in the nonprofit arena focusing on low-income older adults, we realized that, even with all current nonprofits and organizations in Colorado that serve this population, there are still many Coloradans that are in need of benefit assistance.

The founders applied and were accepted for fiscal sponsorship by the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center (CNDC) in November 2015. Additionally, Benefits in Action was accepted as a Certified Application Assistance Site (CAAS) in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Jefferson and Broomfield Counties, as a SHIP (Medicare) Site for Adams, Denver, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Otero, Prowers, Kiowa, Baca, Bent, and Crowley counties, and as a Consumer Assistance Center for Connect for Health Colorado. These are key steps for the long-term success of the organization.

The founders of Benefits in Action have an extended history in the nonprofit sector with a combined 45+ years of experience working with various community organizations in the health and nonprofit sectors. We are skilled in the areas of strategy, advocacy, fund development, government and community affairs, and policy.

Application Assistance

Our services for consumers include:

Case management of benefits including benefits navigation and eligibility, benefits application assistance and submittal, and follow up to be sure benefits were received

Financial review through Economic CheckUp, a program of NCOA's Economic Security Initiative

Prescription Assistance helps paying for prescription medications

Research, locate, schedule appointments for Medicare/Medicaid providers and other services

Benefits and program education and advocacy to the community at large

Locating and securing a warm handoff referral

Jane Barnes, Executive Director

Jane has more than 20 years of experience in the health care field, first as developer and implementer of community-based programs and then in government affairs. Jane has been recognized for her innovative and collaborative program and project development. Throughout her career, Jane has facilitated and trained numerous community groups, leading to unique programs designed to meet community needs. One such program is the 10 year old + Centura Health Links program linking at risk Coloradans with public and private benefits for which they may be eligible and enables this population to live healthier, more productive lives.

Dr. Michael Straight, President

Internal Medicine and Emergency Room Physician, Foothills Family Medicine

Ken Witt, Secretary/ Treasurer

President The Aabren Group

Char Hagemann, Board Member

Director of Development, Centennial Institute

Aaron Sanburg, Board Member

Regional Banking Branch Manager, Wells Fargo

Michelle Lapierre, Board Member

Executive Consultant/ Sales and Marketing Strategist, Capstone CX

​Jane Barnes, Ex-Officio

Executive Director, Benefits in Action

United States

Denver

https://www.benefitsinaction.org/

8725 W 14th Ave, Suite 102

Lakewood, CO 80215

info@benefitsinaction.org

Office: 720-221-8354

Toll Free: 1-888-496-4252

Fax: 303-232-2219