SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior Health Insurance Program will be offering free assistance to help older adults with the upcoming Medicare open enrollment period. Between October 15th and December 7th, people who are already enrolled in Medicare have the opportunity to review their current coverage and switch to a different plan for the following year. To make this process easier for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers, Illinois’ SHIP program offers statewide health insurance counseling services through a network of 300 sites and over 1,000 trained and certified counselors. Illinois has trained 256 new SHIP counselors over the past year, and all counselors have received additional training on how to assist older adults during open enrollment. Counselors can answer questions about Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans such as HMOs and PPOs, Medicare Part D drug plans, Medicare Supplement policies, retiree group insurance and other health insurances.
“It is that time of year where people with Medicare will encounter numerous advertisements about the various Medicare health and drugs plans for 2023,” said Illinois SHIP Director Sandy Leith.
Additionally, all Medicare participants with prescription coverage will have their insulin copay capped at $35 per month in 2023, and SHIP counselors can explain participants’ options and cost savings due to this new law. All services are free, and SHIP counselors do not sell or solicit any type of insurance. Aside from open enrollment assistance, SHIP counselors can also help soon-to-be eligible individuals with Medicare sign-up questions. To find a SHIP counselor near you, call the statewide Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or email AGING.SHIP@illinois.gov.
Mon - Fri: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
