Enrollment Period – October 15th – December 7th
Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that the annual open enrollment period to change Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2015 has been set. It will be from October 15, 2014 to December 7, 2014.
During the Medicare open enrollment period, current Medicare beneficiaries can:
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Join, switch or drop a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
“I invite and encourage all Ulster County’s seniors who need assistance regarding a change in their Medicare coverage to call the Ulster County Office for the Aging to schedule a free HIICAP appointment,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “Health insurance is complex and our staff is pleased to provide information to help our seniors make choices regarding their coverage. Please call (845) 340-3456 or toll free 1-877-914-3456.”
“Thanks to County Executive Hein’s leadership, we have an amazing team of highly-trained and certified volunteers who assist seniors with navigating their Medicare options,” said Kelly McMullen, Director of the Ulster County Office for the Aging. “They are trained and well qualified professionals who are fully prepared to address seniors' questions regarding their health insurance choices. There are seventeen volunteers working with the excellent direction of Bob Meci, Health Insurance Coordinator. In 2013, our counselors talked with over 1000 seniors providing 1505 appointments, 551 within the period of open enrollment alone. In addition to providing services at our Kingston location, there will be a HIICAP volunteer at the Saugerties Library on Wednesdays and we are gearing up to welcome as many seniors as possible again this year."
Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Programs (HIICAP), provide free, accurate and objective information, counseling, assistance and advocacy on Medicare, private health insurance, and related health coverage plans. HIICAP also provides information on low income programs such as the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program, Medicare Savings Programs, "Extra Help" prescription assistance and pharmacy discount programs.
Please call the Ulster County Office for the Aging to set up a free HIICAP appointment at the Kingston office or at the Saugerties Library, 845-340-3456 or toll free 1-877-914-3456.
