[OPLINLIST] OSHIIP MEdicare Check up Events

[Rebecca Hayward]

Ohio Insurance Department to Hold Free Medicare Check-up Days Across
State  

Medicare coordinated election period Nov. 15 to Dec. 31   

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Insurance - through its Ohio Senior
Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) - is traveling the state
through the end of the year to help eligible Ohioans, family members and
caregivers understand the different Medicare coverage options, and to
provide assistance with plan selection. OSHIIP is conducting free and
unbiased "Medicare Check-up Days" in each of Ohio's 88 counties to
complement Medicare's annual "coordinated election" period, which starts
November 15 and ends December 31. Coverage secured during this open
enrollment period will begin January 1, 2010.

During the coordinated election period, people on Medicare can select
one of several coverage options: Original Medicare for their health
coverage needs paired with a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan;
a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits
including drug coverage; or determine if their existing coverage already
meets their health insurance needs. Plan benefits may change each year
so Ohioans are encouraged to contact OSHIIP for a plan review. In
addition, financial assistance is available to those with limited
income. 

At each Check-Up Day event, OSHIIP representatives will discuss changes
to Medicare and preventative benefits, how to manage expenses during the
Part D coverage "doughnut hole" or gap in coverage, share information on
financial assistance available to those with limited income, advise
beneficiaries if they can coordinate other coverage and also run
comparison reports on various plans. OSHIIP can help beneficiaries
enroll in their Medicare coverage of choice starting November 15.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a list of their prescriptions drugs,
dosages and preferred pharmacy information, as well as any information
on pension, VA or other medical care benefits they are receiving. 

For a complete listing of available Part D and Medicare Advantage plans,
visit www.medicare.gov <http://www.medicare.gov/> .  Those with Medicare
questions and those who need enrollment assistance (starting November
15) and/or information about financial assistance programs can call
OSHIIP at 1-800-686-1578 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or
Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours-a-day, seven
days-a-week.  

A listing of Medicare Check-Up Days is available on the Department's web
site at
http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/Consumer/OSHIIP/Documents/MedicareCheckUp.
pdf.

 

Becky Hayward

OSHIIP

Outreach Specialist

614-728-1043 direct line

rebecca.hayward at ins.state.oh.us

50 W. Town St - Third Floor - Suite 300

Columbus, Ohio 43215

 

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