Anyone who’s now on Medicare as well as their family members and other caregivers should plan to attend the Medicare 2017 Open Enrollment Insurance Update Session on Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. This session offers an opportunity to find out changes in Medicare’s benefits and costs and get information directly from supplemental insurance companies and the town’s Veterans Services Officer.
The program will be presented by Don Milan and Anne Meade, Lincoln’s SHINE counselors, along with staff from the Minuteman SHINE Program, a Medicare health benefits counseling program. It is co-sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging (COA) and Minuteman SHINE.
This year’s Medicare Open Enrollment period, which is your opportunity to change plans, is October 15 to December 7. After that time, people with Medicare Advantage plans (HMO and PPO), and people with Part D prescription coverage may only change plans under special circumstances such as if you move, lose your employer’s coverage, etc.
The program will begin with a general presentation about changes in Medicare, including what’ss covered and what isn’t, and how much you will pay. After that,Milan and Meade will be available to answer your questions. Attendees will also have the chance to visit tables with representatives from the major supplemental health insurance plans serving Lincoln (Harvard Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tufts, Fallon, and AARP/United Health Care) who will give 2017 information. Also present will be Priscilla Leach (Lincoln’s Veterans Service Officer) and a representative of Brookhaven Hospice’s We Honor Veterans program.
The October 28 program is designed to go over 2017 changes in basic Medicare, Medigap and Medicare Advantage insurance plans. On Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., SHINE will present an in-depth “Medicare 101” to go over the basics of Medicare and the different types of insurance plans (Medigap and Advantage) available to supplement coverage.
Milan and Meade also provide one-to-one counseling for Lincoln residents who need assistance in signing up for Medicare, choosing among plans, applying for Medicaid/MassHealth, deciding about whether long term care insurance is appropriate, resolving problems related to Medicare, and more. To arrange for an appointment, call the COA at 781-259-8811.
SHINE (a federal program administered through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs) provides accurate, unbiased information regarding health insurance and prescription drug options through community education and free, confidential counseling. Minuteman Senior Services provides a variety of services that help seniors and people with disabilities live in the setting of their choice. For more information, call 888-222-6171.