Choosing what Medicare Plan to enroll in is hard!
At Abby Services we are experts on senior care and helping Fort Myers and Cape Coral residents remain safe and independent in their homes with private senior caregivers. Even with our specialized experience we find Medicare enrollment confusing.
Recently, Tom Strachan, the founder of Abby Services, had to navigate Medicare enrollment. You would think, being involved in senior care would make choosing an appropriate plan a simple task.
The fact is, with all of the different plans, options, and exclusions, Medicare enrollment can be a challenging task, even with personal experience in healthcare. The wrong choices, you could potentially feel it in your pocketbook.
Fortunately, with some help, Tom was able to successfully enroll in a Medicare plan that works for him (at least we think so). The thing is, it’s tough to know who you can turn to for help.
There are Medicare Advantage providers who will sell you a product that might sound good, but because of new health circumstances, or a provision you weren’t aware of, you could be left without coverage.
Fortunately, at the recent Conference On Aging Sponsored by Hope Hospice, there was a presentation by SHINE.
So what is SHINE?
I’m glad you asked, SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and your local Area Agency on Aging. They can be reached at 1-800-96-ELDER.
SHINE has Specially trained volunteers who can assist you with your Medicare enrollment, Medicaid, and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information. SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential.
To speak with a SHINE volunteer click this link for more information.