Medicare’s annual open enrollment period starts Saturday, Oct. 15. This means if you’re one of the more than 2 million Ohioans on the federal health insurance program, it’s time to become familiar with changes for 2023 and review your healthcare needs, including preferred prescription drugs and doctors. So, when the plan options are announced, you’re ready to pick one that’s best for you and your budget.
Of course, all of this is easier said than done. That’s why the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, the state’s official Medicare educational, plan comparison, and enrollment assistance program is conducting free virtual and on-site Medicare Check-up events in communities across the state now and through open enrollment, which ends Dec. 7.
“This is an important time of the year for Ohioans on Medicare. Our OSHIIP Medicare experts are ready to be of assistance every step of the way,” said Ohio Department of Insurance director Judith L. French said.
OSHIIP’s impact – OSHIIP, funded in part by Medicare, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year of helping Ohioans navigate Medicare. Over the past year, OSHIIP helped thousands of Ohioans save more than $25 million through coverage evaluation and financial assistance identification.
Medicare Checkup events – During these events, experts will go over Medicare fundamentals, what’s new, how to review current plan and compare plans for 2023, prescription drug coverage options, and ways to save money. The events are presentation-only until Oct. 15 when plan comparisons and counseling services become included in most events.
To find an event in or near your community, an on-site schedule, which can be sorted by date and county, is available here, where you can also find a listing of virtual events. The virtual events will be recorded for online viewing.
Local Medicare checkup events
- Mahoning County Medicare Checkup Event. Ohio Living Senior Center, First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. Call 234-232-7221 to register. 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 1.
- Trumbull County Medicare Checkup Event. Girard Multi-Generational Center, 443 Trumbull Ave., Girard 44420. Presentation only. 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4.
- Trumbull County Medicare Checkup Event. Girard Multi-Generational Center, 443 Trumbull Ave., Girard, OH 44420. Counseling by appointment only. Call 330-545-6596 to schedule. 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Medicare plan options for 2023 – Medicare will release plan information on Oct. 1 at www.medicare.gov…. Careful evaluation is imperative because Medicare plans can change year-over-year. Plans may have different benefits, out-of-pocket costs, covered prescription drugs, in-network physicians, and premiums than the year before.
Questions? OSHIIP can help – If you can’t attend a Medicare Check-up event, OSHIIP offers individual virtual counseling appointments that can be scheduled on the department’s website. Staff also provide assistance through 800-686-1578 and os********@in*******.gov, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Ohioans on Medicare can also call 800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week for Medicare help.
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Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program to explain changes
Join the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) to learn about Medicare changes for 2023 and to get ready for the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs from Oct. 15-Dec. 7.
OSHIIP will discuss what is new in 2023, how to review your current plan, ways to save money, and how to compare plans for 2023.
If you are unable to attend an in-person event or one is not being held in your area, there are several other ways you can reach out to OSHIIP for help.
You can virtually attend one of OSHIIP’s weekly 2022 Medicare check-up online webinars: 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 17; 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31; or 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 21. Webinars last one hour. To register, visit here.
You can also schedule a virtual, one-on-one counseling appointment. For more information, visit here.
Or you can call the OSHIIP hotline that is open for counseling, comparisons, and enrollments 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Call 1-800-686-1578 and speak directly with a Medicare expert.
– From the Ohio Department of Insurance
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