Help navigating Medicare options available at Senior and Family Services

It’s Medicare Open Enrollment season and those needing help navigating the options have a local place to turn to for help. State Health Insurance Assistance Program or SHIP counselors are available at Senior and Family Services in Washington.

A free program, counselors are available at the 211 E. Main Street location Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the afternoon by appointment only.

“Trained volunteers are in every county to assist people on Medicare, those who are elderly or qualified disabled or some people with serious health problems like advanced kidney disease, with finding the prescription drug or extra insurance coverage that is correct for them and at a reasonable price,” said Catherine Hepner, with SHIP, who said counselors can also help those new to Medicare and assist with getting computer access to Medicare.gov accounts. “We can also assist people who qualify for Medicare Savings Programs or Social Security Extra Help.”

An important resource for those who may be getting telemarketing calls on Medicare options, SHIP can help find the plans that best meet the needs of each individual and even assist with billing questions.

“Medicare seems to be changing every year which is why we have attended special training sessions twice a year. This year, we’ve had a major prescription drug insurer leave Daviess County,” said Hepner. “A lot of people received cancellation letters at the end of September so they’ll need to select a new Part D prescription drug plan. Unfortunately, a lot of Part D prescription drug plans are going up in price or the medications have gone up in price significantly.”

Hepner said what renewal letters may not tell clients is that their Part D plan may no longer cover one or more of their medications.

“If they don’t check, some people get quite a surprise when they go to pick up their medication or see their doctor in January,” said Hepner, adding the deadline to make changes to Medicare plans is Dec. 7. “And some people who have been happy with their plan have gone years without checking what else is available end up paying much more than they need to for the exact same coverage.”

The maximum deductible for prescription drug plans is now $700 an increase of $85 from last year Hepner said.

Indiana also started a new “birthday rule” last year that allows Medicare customers who are at least 65 to shop for a new supplement plan at a lower premium every year around their birthday.

Those interested in making an appointment with a SHIP counselor need to bring a few things with them to the appointment including their Medicare cards, other medical insurance cards, and their login information if they have already established an account with Medicare.gov.

“If they already have a Login.gov or ID.Me account, they should also bring that login information,” said Hepner, adding bringing a cellphone with email access can also be helpful. “The state and federal governments want everyone to access their accounts via computer so those email accounts are being used more and more. This is where a SHIP counselor really comes in handy because many older or disabled clients simply aren’t going to be comfortable interacting with the computer. Let the SHIP counselor do the typing for you.”

Hepner said many also have friends or family members who assist with medical care and financial matters and those individuals may be helpful to bring to appointments as well.

With many clients being medically fragile, it is requested that those who may be experiencing cold and/or flu symptoms should reschedule those appointments, do a no-contact appointment or telephone appointment.

To schedule an appointment, call Senior and Family Services at 812-254-1881. A limited number of appointments are also available in Petersburg and Odon.

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