Residents needing help with Medicare Open Enrollment still have time to receive free assistance from certified State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors at the United Way of East Mississippi office before enrollment ends on Thursday, Dec. 7.
SHIP is a counseling program designed to answer elderly residents’ questions about health insurance. Whether they have questions about Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance or other coverage, certified SHIP counselors are trained to answer questions, compare policies and organize paperwork.
SHIP counselors will be available at the United Way Monday through Thursday before open enrollment closes, said William Vicars, a SHIP counselor. Residents can call the office at 601-693-2732 to set up a time to meet with a counselor or they can simply stop by the United Way office at 4817 North Park Drive, Suite B, in north Meridian between 9 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. He said residents can also call the office because some of the information can be handled over the phone.
The visits and assistance are free to anyone eligible to receive Medicare.
While SHIP counselors are available annually at the United Way office during Medicare Open Enrollment from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, they also are available throughout the year to help senior residents and caregivers understand Medicare benefits, organize doctor and hospital bills, file Medicare appeals, review Medicare Supplemental Insurance, evaluate Medicare Advantage options, understand Medicaid eligibility and explore long-term care options. Anyone needing assistance during the remainder of the year should call the United Way office to get in touch with a SHIP counselor.