Puzzled about Medicare? Let CLAIM help you

Free Medicare counseling and open enrollment events occurring across Missouri

Medicare beneficiaries can change their coverage during open enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. This is the only time most people can change their Part D prescription-drug plans and/or Medicare Advantage plan.

The many options to choose from and the alphabet soup of Medicare acronyms can make knowing what plan to sign up for a puzzle. To help eliminate some of the confusion, CLAIM, Missouri’s free Medicare counseling program, recommends taking three steps for 2018 coverage.

1. Check your health and drug coverage.

Look at your current plan’s costs, benefits and rules for the upcoming year.

2. Compare plans.

Missourians can join or change a Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan only during Medicare open enrollment if they missed their initial enrollment period.

3. Do your research.

Compare and screen for programs that can help lower your costs.

As part of the federal State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), CLAIM provides free and confidential advice to Missourians. Each year, CLAIM counsels more than 50,000 Missourians about their Medicare benefits and coverage and helps them determine the best options for their needs and income level.

To learn more about how CLAIM counselors can help, contact us at 1-800-390-3330, or visit us online at www.missouriclaim.org.