The New York State Office for the Aging reminds older residents of the Empire State that free and objective counseling is available to help Medicare beneficiaries through the Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program.
The counseling is designed to help Medicare beneficiaries navigate their options during the open enrollment period for Medicare, which begins this Sunday and lasts through December 7th. Open enrollment is the time when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes in their health plan or prescription drug coverage and other options. Any changes made will take effect January 1st.
The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program helps 248,000 New Yorkers annually to understand Medicare decisions. It also aids beneficiaries in applying for programs that save older adults out-of-pocket costs such as co-payments, premiums and deductibles. Last year, it was estimated the program saved low-income Medicare beneficiaries an estimated $115 million through these initiatives.
