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 that will soon be available in your county.

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. 15 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 2013.

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

Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. at the Adams County Senior Center in West Union. To schedule a counseling appointment, call 1-800-582-7277, extension 250.

Brown County

Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at Adams-Brown Community Action in Georgetown. To schedule a counseling appointment, call 1-800-582-7277, extension 250.

Gallia County

Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. (Educational Presentation) and December 5th (Counseling Appointments) at the Gallia County Council on Aging (Senior Center) in Gallipolis. To schedule a counseling appointment, call 1-800-582-7277, extension 250.

Highland County

Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. at the Highland County Senior Center in Hillsboro. To schedule a counseling appointment, call (937) 393-4745.

Jackson County

Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. at Jackson One Stop Tech and Training Center. To schedule a counseling appointment, call (740) 286-4181, extension 343.

Lawrence County

Nov. 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the Southern Branch Library in South Point. To schedule a counseling appointment, call 1-800-582-7277, extension 250.

Pike County

Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. at Bristol Village in Waverly. To schedule a counseling appointment, call (740) 947-7035.

Ross County

Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Ross County Senior Center in Chillicothe. To schedule a counseling appointment, call (740) 773-3544.

Scioto County

Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. at the Friends Community Center in Portsmouth. To schedule a counseling appointment, call 1-800-582-7277, extension 250.

Vinton County

Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. (Educational Presentation) at the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library in McArthur and December 3rd (Counseling Appointments) at the Vinton County Senior Center in McArthur. To schedule a counseling appointment, call 1-800-582-7277, extension 250.

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. For more information, call (800) 582-7277.