Open Enrollment for Medicare Beneficiaries begins October 15th, and We Can Help

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period is right around the corner!  From October 15th through December 7th, Medicare beneficiaries can compare insurance options and plans to see if changes are needed for the next calendar year and sign up for coverage if necessary.

There are many reasons why a beneficiary would be considering a different insurance plan. It could be a change in the person’s health or a change in the coverage that’s provided by a plan. Or maybe a hospital no longer accepts the insurance plan.

United Way of Central Alabama’s Area Agency on Aging administers the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for residents of Jefferson County. SHIP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling and education to help Medicare beneficiaries make informed choices regarding their insurance benefits. 

“There are some big changes coming to Medicare Part D in 2025, and we are encouraging all Medicare-eligible individuals to ensure their coverage is sufficient for next year. We can look at their current coverage or do a plan comparison for them,” said Susan Hackney, SHIP/SMP Coordinator.

Beginning October 1st, beneficiaries can call 1-800-AGE-LINE to schedule an appointment for in-person counseling or phone counseling. Open Enrollment events will be hosted throughout Jefferson County, where one-on-on counseling will be available.  A Plan Comparison Form can be found at www.uwaaa.org, which will help beneficiaries determine if changing plans is needed.

Below are a few reminders to help you make informed decisions during the Medicare Open Enrollment period.

• Watch for notices from your current plan. These notices provide important details on coverage changes for 2025.
• Don’t be rushed into making a decision.
• Don’t make a decision because a broker or agent is nice.
• Don’t get distracted by “Extras” that make a plan sound great.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to get Medicare counseling.  December 7th is the last day to make changes to your plan.
• Don’t choose a plan just because your neighbor likes it.
• Don’t worry about Medicare options; call 1-800-AGE-LINE or visit www.uwaaa.org and make a SHIP appointment!

In-person appointments and events will be held at the following locations: