Medicare Open Enrollment workshops in October: Change, enroll or disenroll

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7, 2016. This enrollment period is one of the few times Medicare beneficiaries can change, enroll into or disenroll from a Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as an HMO). Changes to plans are effective January 1, 2017.

“Medicare beneficiaries who review their plan’s changes and other coverage options may save money and find a plan that best suits their needs compared to those who simply stay with the same plan each year,” said Rhoda Slagle, Regional Coordinator of the El Dorado County Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP).

HICAP will conduct three free public workshops in October 2016 to help Medicare enrollees understand coverage options for 2017:

Friday, October 21, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe

Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring Street, Placerville

Thursday, October 27, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills

In addition to the October workshops, HICAP provides free individual counseling services in Placerville, El Dorado Hills and South Lake Tahoe throughout the year. To make an appointment, call (530) 621-6369. A limited number of appointments are available.

HICAP is a nonprofit organization that gives free, unbiased information and counseling to Medicare beneficiaries; the organization is not affiliated with any insurance company. HICAP works in partnership with senior programs of the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency. For information about additional senior services in El Dorado County, please visit www.edcgov.us/humanservices