IDoA
announces start of Medicare open enrollment period begins October
15th
Senior Health Insurance Program offers
free one-on-one assistance
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[October 19, 2016]
Saturday, October 15th marks the
beginning of the annual Medicare open enrollment period. The
Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is reminding eligible older
adults to use this time to review their plan options. The Department
offers free counseling assistance to help educate Medicare-eligible
individuals and their caregivers about their Medicare insurance
options through the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). Medicare
Open Enrollment begins October 15 and runs through December 7.
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Navigating different plan options can sometimes be overwhelming;
SHIP counselors are on hand to help seniors understand their
Medicare benefits, sort through their options to find the best one
for them and complete the enrollment process. Assistance is
available year-round to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, their
families and their caregivers.
"There are over 300 SHIP offices throughout Illinois that are ready
to schedule an appointment to assist with open enrollment,” said
SHIP Director Sandy Leith. “I encourage folks to take advantage of
this service as our caring counselors will work with you to make
sense of a complicated system and guide people to the best choice
for healthcare for 2017. We anticipate this year to be very busy
enrollment season.”
During open enrollment, eligible adults can adjust Medicare
Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage; change from
original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa);
switch between Medicare Advantage plans; join a Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan; or switch existing drug plans or drop
Medicare prescription drug coverage.
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SHIP counselors work through the Medicare.gov
plan finder to help seniors and people with disabilities make the
best choices for their individual situation. To contact SHIP, call
1-800-252-8966 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more
information about SHIP, including a list of SHIP locations, visit
our website at http://www.illinois.gov/aging/ship/Pages/default.aspx.
To compare 2017 drug and health plans on your own and to find out
more about Medicare, including preventive services now covered,
visit the federal website at www.medicare.gov or review your 2017
Medicare & You handbook. You can also call 1-800-Medicare
(1-800-633-4227); Medicare phone lines are open 24/7.
SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance company, and counselors do
not sell or solicit any type of insurance. SHIP counselors in the
field make sure seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare are
aware of options that can save them money. Counselors educate and
answer questions about Medicare, Part A, B, and D, Medicare
Supplement insurance, and Medicare Advantage plans.
[Illinois Department on Aging |