Ellen Mikus

She may call herself “The Bill Lady,” but Ellen Mikus will be offering a lot more than financial assistance to island seniors seeking a little bit of help and advice.

Beginning next week, Mikus will appear at the Sanibel Public Library every Tuesday to assist local seniors in managing the “paperwork of life.”

“I knew I wanted to do something on a voluntary basis,” said the South Fort Myers resident, who spent her career as a social worker and utilization management. “I’ve always enjoyed working with seniors, who are so entertaining and lovely.”

Mikus expressed her desire to “give back” with one of her island friends, Holly Quick, who works at Bank Of The Islands. She put Mikus in touch with the library staff, who helped organize the weekly sessions.

On Tuesdays, starting on March 8 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Mikus — aka “The Bill Lady” — will provide include assistance with setting up on-line bill paying, prescription management, fielding Medicare questions and assisting with telephone calls for billing questions. She will also help translate insurance inquiries so that they become more understandable.

“If somebody asks me something that I can’t answer, my job will be to get them to somebody who will be able to answer that question,” said Mikus, a resident of Lee County for the past eight years.

There is no fee for the service and it will be available to island seniors and their adult children.

The Purdue University graduate worked at Lee Mental Health for seven years as a utilization manager. In that capacity, she worked with insurance companies to authorize payment for services. Originally from Northwest Indiana, just south of Chicago, Ellen worked as a social worker at Community Hospital in Munster, Ind.

“Knowing that I’ll be helping people who really need this is my reward,” added Mikus. “I know this will make a big difference for a lot of people.”

The Sanibel Public Library is located at 770 Dunlop Road. Call 472-2483 for additional information.