Ocean County seniors seeking help in signing up for Medicare enrollment and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans can get one-on-one assistance through the Ocean County Office of Senior Services as it teams up with the Ocean County Library.
Oct. 18 is the first of a series of Medicare Part D days for Ocean County seniors.
“Navigating health insurance coverage can be challenging,” said Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Chairman of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services. “By Senior Services teaming up with the Ocean County Library, we can offer help to our seniors at more convenient locations as we bring the service closer to our constituents.”
Vicari noted that seniors can also get help with Medicare enrollment throughout the enrollment period, by appointment, at the Ocean County Office of Senior Services at 1027 Hooper Ave., Toms River, Building 2 and also the County Connection at the Ocean County Mall, Toms River.
Representatives from the Ocean County Office of Senior Services along with State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors will be available on six different dates at five Ocean County Library branches to help seniors with Medicare enrollment. They will also assist residents in comparing Medicare Prescription Drug Plans for 2021 on the Medicare Plan Finder.
Open enrollment assistance will be provided at the following library branches on these dates and times:
• Toms River Branch, 101 Washington St., Toms River, Oct.18 and 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Berkeley Township Branch, 30 Station Road, Bayville, Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Brick Township Branch, 301 Chambersbridge Road, Brick Township, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Little Egg Harbor Township Branch, 290 Mathistown Road, Little Egg Harbor Township, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Manchester Township Branch, 21 Colonial Drive, Manchester Township, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents can access any of the assistance opportunities by calling 732-929-2091 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required.
“The Office of Senior Services will be conducting counseling and enrollment at their main office, at the County Connection and at some key library locations, offering free, unbiased one-on-one assistance with your Medicare coverage,” Vicari said. “A trained SHIP counselor can assist in reviewing your Medicare coverage for 2022.”
The open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7th.
“It is important our seniors have the opportunity to review and choose the appropriate plan that is suitable for their needs,” Vicari said. “Each year we fine-tune this outreach to make it as convenient as possible for our seniors and their caregivers. The one-on-one assistance is provided annually to help citizens navigate these important health care programs that can often be complex and change each year.”
Detailed information regarding options is also available on the Medicare Plan Finder, which can be accessed at www.Medicare.gov and in the Medicare and You 2021 Handbook that will be mailed to Medicare beneficiaries. There are numerous plans for New Jersey with different costs and benefit coverage and individuals will need to learn as much as possible about them.
“Getting the correct information to our seniors so they can make the right choice for their medical coverage is key in keeping our seniors healthy and living independently,” said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn. “With close to 200,000 seniors living in Ocean County, this free outreach is vital to our communities.”
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