Medicare Open Enrollment, a time to review your Medicare coverage for 2017, is October 15 through December 7, and SAGE Eldercare will offer free help sessions.
SHIP of Union County, which has offices at SAGE, will highlight different Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans. The sessions will take place:
- Thursday, October 20, 12 – 1:30 pm,
- Wednesday, November 9, 12 – 1:30 pm,
- Monday, November 14, 7 – 8:30 pm, and
- Monday, November 21, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
“During the Medicare open enrollment period, it is a good idea to reassess your coverage and costs, which can change yearly. Even if your current Medicare advantage plan and your drug prescription benefits are working for you, it’s a good idea to check your plan,” said Elyse Drucker, Union County SHIP counselor at SAGE.
It is also recommended that you obtain advice and guidance from someone who is not affiliated with a particular health care insurance company so that you can compare plans. Personalized Medicare counseling is available, free of charge, from SHIP counselors.
If you are 65 years or older or under 65 with certain disabilities, then you qualify for Medicare health insurance. The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services – part A covers hospital insurance; part B covers doctor’s visits; part C is also known as Medicare Advantage and offers health plan options run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies; and, part D covers Medicare prescription drugs.
SHIP of Union County is a state-wide program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging, with financial assistance through a grant from the US Administration for Community Living. Staff and volunteers are available for free, personalized, confidential and objective Medicare counseling on decisions about coverage; help with claims, billing, or appeals; and provide information on programs for people with limited income and resources, as well as to help you reassess your coverage.
To register for the help sessions, or for more information, please call: 908.598.5548 or email: education@sageeldercare.temp312.kinsta.cloud. SAGE Eldercare SHIP counselors can be reached during business hours at 908.273.6999 or by email at ship@sageeldercare.temp312.kinsta.cloud. If you live outside Union County, visit www.medicare.gov/contacts or call 1‑800‑MEDICARE to get the phone numbers of SHIP representatives in other New Jersey counties or in other U.S. states.