Medicare Advantage Counseling March 20 In Clewiston

Clewiston, FL  – It’s not too late for Medicare beneficiaries hoping to change their Medicare Advantage plan for 2019. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is underway through the end of March. Beneficiaries are invited to attend a free presentation about Medicare Advantage and more in Clewiston on Wednesday, Mar. 20.  The presentation will feature professionally trained counselors of the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program. 

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment presentation will be offered at the Florida B. Thomas Library (Harlem Public Library), located at 1010 Harlem Academy Ave. in Clewiston.  The presentation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and a SHINE counselor will be available to answer questions and assist beneficiaries after the presentation.

“Medicare Advantage open enrollment gives beneficiaries with buyer’s remorse an opportunity to switch plans,” explains Camilita Aldridge, SHINE Manager at the Area Agency on Aging (AAASWFL).  “Depending on your doctor, your medical conditions, your prescriptions, where you live, and your budget, there might be a better plan for you. Our counselors can help you evaluate all of the plans available to you, and the service is completely free.”

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ SHINE program provides free, unbiased information and assistance for Florida Medicare beneficiaries year-round as they carefully evaluate their health care options.  SHINE is administered locally by the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL).   SHINE counselors are not affiliated with insurance companies or brokers.

Medicare Advantage plans, sometimes called Part C plans, are typically HMOs or PPOs offered by private insurance companies. They cover all of the services offered by Original Medicare but typically work with a network of local health care providers. Beneficiaries who are currently enrolled in Part C plans may switch plans once during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period.

SHINE empowers seniors, their caregivers, and family members to make informed decisions about health care coverage. SHINE counselors can also help beneficiaries understand benefits available through Medicare, like preventative health care services. Additionally, SHINE counselors assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries with applying for cost-savings programs and educate beneficiaries to protect, detect, and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse with their Medicare coverage. 

AAASWFL provides SHINE counseling services at locations across Southwest Florida. To make an appointment with a SHINE counselor, call AAASWFL’s toll-free Elder Helpline at 1-866-413-5337 (866-41-ELDER). A list of counseling sites can also be found on the statewide SHINE website: www.floridashine.org.