demystifying medicare

Fall Open Enrollment for Medicare — from October 15th through December 7th —  is the time when people on Medicare can make changes to their coverage.

But for some, navigating the health insurance landscape is truly daunting. “Demystifying Medicare” is a free, upbeat, comprehensive workshop for anyone who needs to understand how Medicare works — not only for people wanting to explore their options, but for those soon to be Medicare-eligible, approaching retirement, or helping relatives or friends with their medical decisions and paperwork.

A complete understanding of the whole system is key to making the best personal health coverage choices. Topics included in these free workshops are Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, Medigaps (or supplements), EPIC, and cost-saving
programs for people with limited resources. The audio version of the workshop, handouts, and current upcoming presentations can be
found at: https://seniors.westchesterlibraries.org/demystifyingmedicare/. Pre-registration is requested at the numbers listed for each event or at 914-231-3236. The in-person sessions are available at 14 Westchester County libraries, starting in late September. When you click through on the link above, scroll to the bottom right hand of the page to find the complete listing with dates.

Walk-in SBIC (Senior Benefits Individual Counseling) sessions are also available in two Westchester libraries on an ongoing basis: 10 AM to 1 PM at the Hart Library in Shrub Oak (on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month) and at the Will Library in Yonkers (first Thursday of each month). Additional counseling sessions will be added during Fall Enrollment, so please check https://seniors.westchesterlibraries.org/seniorbenefits/ for updates.

You can also call the Helpline at 914-813-6100.

These programs are all unaffiliated with any health insurance company, provider, or Medicare itself, and are offered by HIICAP-certified volunteer counselors in partnership with the Westchester Library System and Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services.

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