Health care options abound in Centre County [Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.)]

March 25--When seniors think they've exhausted all their options and there is nowhere left to turn, and health care questions have been left unanswered, the county offers ways to get seniors on the right track.

According to Jane Taylor, director of the Centre County Office of Aging, the Apprise program has staff and trained volunteers who can assist seniors free of charge with choosing health insurance, with questions about Medicare coverage and with enrolling in prescription drug plans.

The Apprise program is a state Health Insurance Assistance Program for people with Medicare.

Volunteers offer unbiased information to help Medicare beneficiaries with questions and problems regarding health insurance. Volunteers can also compare existing benefits and available options, assist with enrollments and apply for help, or assist with billing issues and appeals.

When it comes to getting health care as a senior, Taylor said the best advice she has is not to wait until the last minute to make a decision.

"If you are not receiving Social Security, you should contact the Social Security Office three months before your 65th birthday to discuss Medicare enrollment," Taylor said.

Seniors should do this even if they are still working.

"Don't throw away Medicare information because you are still working and have insurance," she added. "Check with your employer regarding insurance coverage after age 65."

Apprise coordinator Judy Furfaro said the organization's goal is not to give advice as to which plan people should choose, but rather to inform them of their choices, how they work and what to consider, so seniors can narrow down choices and make decisions on plans that will work for their situations.

A person can also call 800-Medicare and get help, but Furfaro said it is often better for someone facing these "complicated issues" to sit down face-to-face with a counselor to get assistance.

Medicare enrollment is also available online.

"There is a huge amount of information available there, but it is sometimes intimidating when someone is not familiar with how to navigate the site so they can see what is important," Furfaro said.

"During open enrollment, I go to each of our six senior centers for at least one session."

She also goes to other subsidized housing and care facilities to provide help on-site.

"During the rest of the year, I attend health fairs, speak to retiree and service groups and hold Medicare 101-type seminars for persons new to Medicare, along with continuing to see individual appointments at my office in the Willowbank Building year-round," Furfaro said.

A part-time assistant and a staff of trained volunteers are available to help, and agencies such as the Centre County Assistance Office, the Social Security Office in State College and the Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities Office make referrals to Apprise representatives on a regular basis.

With the county's Apprise program, help is available for those who have retiree coverage or employee benefits.

Insurance agents can provide information as well, although they may not be able to present all available plans, Taylor said.

Furfaro added that health plans, insurance companies and financial planning agencies offer what they call "education seminars," but they also sell products.

Paul Mackes, a volunteer with the program for more than 10 years and current elder care counselor at the Centre County Office of Aging, said he encourages seniors to look at all their options, including contacting insurance companies, but advises them to steer clear of insurance-only information.

The county's Apprise program has 12 volunteers who take appointments Monday to Friday. Mackes said they average about three appointments a day that last up to two hours.

"It is our effort and mission to explain to seniors what Medicare, Medicaid and supplemental insurance is out there for them and assist them in choosing what plan is right for them," Mackes said.

Britney Milazzo can be reached at 231-4648. Follow her on Twitter @brmilazzo.

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