Medicare Part "D" Open Enrollment Events

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT

 

One of the biggest needs of seniors is to find the best and most cost effective Medicare plans each year because they may not remain the same.  Since some plans will even change pharmacy and provider coverage, this means that higher costs can be incurred by beneficiaries if an annual Medicare “checkup” is not done and new plans are not considered.

The Fall Open Enrollment for Medicare beneficiaries starts on October 15^th and runs through December 7^th.  If enrolling in a new plan during this period, coverage starts January 1^st.  For many beneficiaries, it is the only time that a new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug) Plan can be chosen.

Even though Medicare may be complicated to understand, help is available.  On the internet, one may access a Plan Finder on Medicare.gov or 1-800-Medicare, our State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 1-800-243-5463, and The Council on Aging of Etowah County (256) 543-3616.

The Council on Aging will host the following Medicare Open Enrollment events at these locations and times:

 

October 17^th  - University of Alabama Gadsden Center, 10 am - 2 pm, 121 North 1^st St., Gadsden

October 20^th - Carver Community Center, 10 - 11 am, 1030 Tuscaloosa Ave., Gadsden

October 21^st and 28^th, November 18^th and 25^th, December 1^st - Gadsden Public Library, 10 am - 2 pm, 254 College St., Gadsden (SenioRx Prescription Assistance will be available at all of these GPL Events.)

October 23^rd - Elliott Community Center, 11 - 12 noon, 2829 W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden           

October 24^th, November 7^th - Etowah County Courthouse, 10 am - 12 noon, 800 Forrest Ave., Gadsden

October 30^th - East Gadsden Library, 10 am - 12 noon, 820 E. Broad St., E. Gadsden

November 11^th - Holy Comforter, 10 am - 12 noon, 745 Walnut St., Gadsden

November 12^th - Campbell Court, 10 am - 12 noon, 100 Campbell Court, E. Gadsden

November 14^th - Attalla Public Library, 10 am - 2 pm, 608 4^th St., Attalla

November 17^th - Baptist Retirement Village, 10 am - 12 noon, 1321 Coates St., E. Gadsden

November 26^th - Family Success Center, 10 am - 12 noon, 821 E. Broad St., E. Gadsden

December 2^nd - Hokes Bluff Community Center, 10 - 11 am, 5981 Gilliland St., Hokes Bluff

December 3^rd - Glencoe Senior Center, 10 - 11 am, Hollingsworth Dr., Glencoe

December 4^th - Exchange Bank, 10 - 11 am, 230 S. 3^rd St., Gadsden

December 5^th - Exchange Bank of Altoona, 2 - 3 pm, 7170 6^th Ave., Altoona

 

SHIP volunteer counselors will be available at those days and times to help Medicare beneficiaries compare and select plans for 2015.  Just bring one’s Medicare card and a detailed list of medications, with dosages, or the prescription bottles.  Everyone will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis, so there may be a wait, with a session possibly lasting up to an hour.  Call the Council on Aging (256) 543-3616 if there are questions.