Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
health care
Jefferson County residents who are eligible for Medicare have the chance to attend free counseling sessions to answer any Medicare questions they might have and to help them choose the right plan for them through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
One of those free counseling sessions is at the Hoover Senior Center on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s a “walk-in” event, so no appointment is necessary.
The United Way of Central Alabama’s Area Agency on Aging is offering one-on-one counseling sessions with certified State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors.
“It's very important that we educate the community about SHIP open enrollment because there are many changes that occur every year and seniors need the opportunity to have one-on-one counseling to ask questions about their Medicare and health insurance coverage,” said Karla Lawrence, vice president of community initiatives for United Way of Central Alabama, in a press release. “It also allows seniors the opportunity to receive individualized plan information to make an informed decision on the healthcare coverage they choose.”
The Medicare fall open enrollment period is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Health insurers sometimes make changes in cost, coverage and what health care providers and pharmacies are in their network.
The free counseling sessions also offer senior citizens a chance to find out about other need-based services available to seniors in Jefferson County, such as a prescription program Meals on Wheels.
In addition to the Nov. 9 counseling event at the Hoover Senior Center, the United Way is offering similar events at the Brighton Senior Center on Nov. 1, Bessemer Housing Authority on Nov. 3, Homewood Senior Center on Nov. 7, Gardendale Civic Center on Nov. 15 and Trussville Senior Center on Nov. 18.
If none of these dates or locations are convenient, senior citizens can call 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463) to schedule an appointment with a SHIP coordinator at the United Way of Central Alabama office in Birmingham.
