Are you a Medicare beneficiary? Want to find out more information about how the Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period can work for you?

Want to stay informed and healthy and save money? If so, then mark your calendar for a Medicare Check-Up Day.

The free event is made possible by the Ohio Department of Insurance’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), which travels the state each Fall to help Ohioans, family members and caregivers understand the different Medicare coverage options and available financial assistance, and to provide assistance with plan selection.

Medicare’s Annual Coordinated Election Period starts Oct. 15th and ends Dec. 7. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can evaluate their current coverage and make the determination on whether they should switch to a plan that will better support their needs.

Those on Medicare are strongly encouraged to attend the session, which will provide helpful information and assistance.

Those who wish to attend are asked to bring a list of their prescription drugs, dosages and preferred pharmacy, as well as any information on pension, VA or other medical care benefits they are receiving for help in comparing plans for 2012.

The Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) can also help you throughout the year to answer any questions you might have concerning your Medicare coverage, specifically with help surrounding the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Low Income Subsidy “Extra Help” Program.

If you would like to learn more about this Program and whether or not you are eligible to receive discounts on your prescription drugs, please call our office at 1-800-582-7277 and ask for extension 250.

This year’s Medicare Check-Up Days will be held throughout our District’s 10 counties:

Adams County

November 5th at 10:00 am at the Adams County Senior Center in West Union.

Brown County

November 7 at 10 a.m. at Adams Brown Community Action in Georgetown.

Gallia County

Oct. 17 at the University of Rio Grande. This session is by appointment only. Those who are interested must call the Area Agency on Aging District 7 at 1-800-582-7277, extension 250, to secure a spot.

Highland County

Oct. 18 at the Highland County Senior Center. This session requires appointments. Those who are interested can call the Highland County Senior Center at (937) 393-4745.

Jackson County

Nov. 26 at Jackson One Stop Tech and Training Center. This session is by appointment only. Those who are interested must call 740-286-4181, extension 343, to secure a spot.

Lawrence County

Nov. 27 at 10:30 a.m. at Southern Branch Library in South Point. This session is by appointment only. Those who are interested must call the Area Agency on Aging District 7 at 1-800-582-7277, extension 250, to secure a spot.

Pike County

Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. at Bristol Village in Waverly.

Ross County

Nov. 16 at the Ross County Senior Center in Chillicothe. This session is by appointment only. Those who are interested must call 740-773-3544 to secure a spot.

Scioto County

Dec. 3 at United Scioto Senior Activities (USSA) in Portsmouth. This session is by appointment only. Those who are interested must call the Area Agency on Aging District 7 at 1-800-582-7277, extension 250, to secure a spot.

Vinton County

Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. at the Vinton County Senior Center in McArthur.

For more information about the Medicare Check-Up Days, you can call the Area Agency on Aging District 7 toll-free at 1-800-582-7277, or the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) toll-free at 1-800-686-1578.

 

Pamela K. Matura is executive director of the Area Agency on Aging District 7. The non-profit agency serves senior citizens in Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton counties. For more information, call our Agency at 1-800-582-7277.