Need assistance finding a Medicare plan? Here’s help

Oct. 13--Need some help choosing a Medicare managed-care or drug plan?

Experts say anyone who isn't computer savvy -- and even some who are -- should seek help navigating all the choices with Medicare, its managed-care options and drug plans in the coming weeks during open enrollment.

A plan that saves one person money may cost another person more, depending on the prescription medications they take, their health and in what hospital systems their doctors practice.

Filling out an online form at Medicare.gov can guide consumers to the right plan to fit their needs.

But if you don't feel comfortable using Medicare.gov, other help is available.

Direction Home events

Direction Home -- through the Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities -- is offering a series of free local seminars that include a meal.

The sessions cover the enrollment process, coverage options, how to select coverage, Medicare protections and how to use Medicare's website.

If you attend, be sure to bring your Medicare number, a list of prescription medications you take and the names of your physicians.

To register, call 330-776-4620 or email events@dhad.org.

Here is a list of upcoming available events in the Akron area. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; lunch is served at noon, unless otherwise noted:

Oct 25: Guy's Party Center, 500 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 10 a.m. to noon

Oct. 31: Holiday Inn Belden Village, 4520 Everhard Road NW, Canton, 10 a.m. to noon

Nov. 6: Hartville Kitchen, 1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m., breakfast at 9 a.m.)

Nov. 8: Hartville Kitchen, 1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 10 a.m. to noon.

Nov. 12: Hilton Fairlawn, 3180 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m., breakfast at 9 a.m.)

Nov. 13: Northeast Ohio Medical University NEW Center, 4211 state Route 44, Rootstown, 10 a.m. to noon.

Nov. 29: Hilton Garden Inn, Twinsburg, 8971 Wilcox Drive, Twinsburg, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m., breakfast at 9 a.m.)

Check-Up Days

The Ohio Department of Insurance's Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program is offering free help during Medicare Check-Up Days in every county.

The program also offers a hotline at 800-686-1578 for individualized assistance and an email oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov. In addition, there are three webcasts available for those who cannot make it to a meeting. The webcasts will be held Oct. 23 and Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. and Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

Here are some upcoming events in the Akron area. For a full list in other parts of the state or to register for the webcast, go to: https://www.insurance.ohio.gov/Consumer/OSHIIP/SitePages/CheckUpDays.aspx

Medina County: 10 a.m. Oct. 26, Soprema Senior Center, 617 School Drive, Wadsworth. Senior Expo in field house; Medicare counseling in media room.

Stark County: 9 a.m. Nov. 5, Mercy Medical Center Mercy Hall, 1320 Mercy Drive, Canton. Counseling by appointments. Please call Mercy Senior Friends Office at 330-489-1215 to schedule.

There are no Portage or Wayne County events scheduled, and the Summit County event was held on Oct. 12.

Other help

The Medicare program also provides free personalized help over the phone at 800-633-4227.

If you believe you cannot afford the plans, there may be help available for free drug coverage or reduced monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs.

For information, contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or https://www.ssa.gov

Beacon Journal consumer columnist and medical reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty

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