Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this time, you can make changes to your health insurance coverage, including adding, dropping, or changing your Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage.
Use the OEP to review what you have, compare it with other options, and make sure that your current coverage still meets your needs for the coming year. A SHINE Counselor can help you navigate Medicare by offering their free, unbiased, personalized guidance and support to help you understand your options.
ELDER HELPLINE
1-800-963-5337
FloridaShine.org
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Statewide Program Provides Free, Unbiased Insurance Counseling for Medicare Beneficiaries
Older Floridians are encouraged to review plan options during Open Enrollment
The Alliance for Aging, Inc. is reminding residents that their Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) Program has specifically-trained counselors to help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to understand their health care options so they can make the best decisions for their individual needs during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). During OEP, beneficiaries can change their Medicare Prescription Drug or Medicare Advantage plan to affect things like cost, coverage, drug formularies, in-network providers, and pharmacies.
“Medicare can be a daunting subject for most people and the Open Enrollment Period only runs from Oct. 15, 2024, through Dec. 7, 2024, but you don’t have to go it alone! During this time, lean on our experts for advice and utilize a local, valuable resource by connecting with the SHINE program,” said Max B. Rothman, JD, LL.M, President & CEO, Alliance for Aging, Inc.
SHINE is a program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and is operated locally through the Alliance for Aging, Inc. The SHINE mission is to provide free and unbiased information about Medicare and Medicaid for beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. SHINE also educates beneficiaries to protect, detect, and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse with their Medicare coverage. SHINE strongly encourages beneficiaries to be on the lookout for their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which they should receive from their plan no later than Sept. 30, 2024. Reviewing their benefits and evaluating their health care options each year is vitally important for beneficiaries. Acting quickly can assure a smooth transition into the 2025 benefit year.
To receive help from SHINE, individuals may call to schedule appointments at designated SHINE counseling sites, attend enrollment events in their local communities, or arrange to speak with a trained SHINE counselor at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). For a listing of SHINE counseling sites and enrollment events, please visit www.floridashine.org.
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