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Open Enrollment 2016 Flipbook PDF
Open Enrollment 2016
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For Immediate Release Contact: Maureen Collins, Dir. Marketing & Communications Email: [email protected] Phone: 732-222-9111 ext. 135
Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15th FCS offering Free Medicare counseling for eligible Monmouth County Residents
LONG BRANCH, NJ, September 15, 2016 –Medicare Open Enrollment, the period of time when eligible Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage plans without penalty, begins on October 15th. Seniors and other eligible beneficiaries who have questions about their Medicare options for 2017 are encouraged to contact FCS (Family and Children’s Service) to schedule a free, confidential appointment with a qualified State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor. “Our specially trained SHIP staff and volunteers are here to help you cut through the confusion and take the stress out of the Open Enrollment process," says Samantha White, FCS Director of Volunteer Services. “We don’t provide legal advice or recommend any specific insurance product or provider. We simply help evaluate the best Medicare and Medicare Part D coverage options to meet your needs.” During the Open Enrollment Period, which runs through December 7th, current or newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries can make a number of changes to their plans, including: -
Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
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Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
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Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
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Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage. ‐more‐
191 Bath Avenue Long Branch, NJ 07740 Phone 732.222.9111 www.fcsmonmouth.org
Open Enrollment, Add One -
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.
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Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
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Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another.
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Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.
White encourages Medicare beneficiaries to re‐evaluate their insurance annually because coverage can change and shopping around for the best plans can save money. SHIP counselors can also help determine if a person may qualify for Medicare’s “Extra Help” program to assist with prescription drug costs. Nationwide, it’s estimated that more than 2 million beneficiaries are eligible for the program, but are not currently enrolled. With Open Enrollment fast approaching, White suggests scheduling a counseling session as soon as possible. FCS has more than 20 volunteer counselors serving at 20 different locations and a variety of informational sessions scheduled throughout Monmouth County. To learn more visit FCS online at www.fcsmonmouth.org . To schedule your free, confidential counseling session with a trained, unbiased counselor please call FCS at 732‐728‐1331. ### About Family & Children’s Service
Family & Children’s Service (FCS) strengthens, protects and preserves the dignity and independence of people in need. With 106 years of history, FCS is the oldest, private nonprofit social service agency in Monmouth County and a leading volunteer organization. Our Mission is to provide compassionate care, intervention and education to support people at challenging times in their lives. We accomplish this through more than a dozen programs focused on the needs of multiple at-risk populations, including: Adult Protective Services; Jersey Assistance for Community Caregivers (JACC); Healthy Buddies, an intergenerational childhood obesity prevention program; Home Care Services and Homecare Grant Assistance; Medicare Application Assistance Program (MAAP); Operation Sleighbells, a holiday giving program for children; Reading Buddies; an in-school childhood literacy program; Representative Payee, a financial management program for the mentally, developmental and physically disabled; Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); Statewide Respite Care, State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), a Medicare counseling service; Telephone Reassurance and the Thrift Boutique. Learn more at www.fcsmonmouth.org.
191 Bath Avenue Long Branch, NJ 07740 Phone 732.222.9111 www.fcsmonmouth.org