Medicare Free Counseling March 20

Moore Haven, FL  – Is your Medicare Advantage plan meeting your needs?  If not, it isn’t too late to change your plan—or even go back to Original Medicare—in 2019. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is underway through the end of March. Beneficiaries are invited to attend two free presentations about Medicare Advantage and more before the March 31 deadline.

Professionally trained counselors of the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program will offer free and unbiased information without a sales pitch on Wednesday, March 20 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.

The following week, the same presentation will be offered in Moore Haven, on Tuesday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Glades County Public Library, 201 Riverside Dr. S.W.  After each presentation, SHINE counselors will be available to answer questions and assist beneficiaries.

“The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period is new in 2019.  It 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.”

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.

“Our counselors can help you evaluate all of the plans available to you, but you still make the ultimate decision,” explains Aldridge.  “Our service is completely free and you won’t get a sales pitch from us.”

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.