Chuck Bell interviews Julie Woodward, a retired New York City teacher who is part of a group of Westchester volunteers that have been helping people understand Medicare for more than two decades. They partner with the Westchester Library System and the county\u2019s Department of Senior Programs and Services — which is responsible for their HIICAP certification (that\u2019s short for the \u201cHealth Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program\u201d run by New York State). The volunteers give presentations on senior health care around the county, in libraries and senior centers. They also have walk-in centers in a couple of libraries where people can get help with their individual problems: these are called the SBICs, or Senior Benefits Information Counseling centers.<\/p>\n
Julie gives two series of her Demystifying Medicare workshops each year, in the fall and the spring. These are comprehensive programs covering Medicare choices plus other bits of information about how health care works. And like all the work these volunteers do, her information is neutral and free. She knows how very confusing Medicare is and intimidating, so she tries to keep the workshops uplifting and fun. People are not interested in a college course on Medicare, they come to learn how to make the right decisions for their personal situations.<\/p>\n
For more information, and a schedule of upcoming Demystifying Medicare workshops, visit: https:\/\/seniors.westchesterlibraries.org\/demystifyingmedicare\/<\/a><\/p>\n Demystifying Medicare (geared to NYS): https:\/\/seniors.westchesterlibraries.org\/demvstifvingmedicare\/<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n For individual counseling in Westchester:<\/p>\n HELPLINE: (914) 813-6100 \u2014 leave your name and phone no. for a callback<\/p>\n Walk-in counseling schedule: https:\/\/seniors.westchesterlibraries.org\/senior-benefits\/<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n Counseling by appointment: (914) 417-9102 \u2014 leave your name and phone no. for a callback<\/p>\n For Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs: (914) 813-6100<\/p>\n For help enrolling in a program for financial assistance \u2014 leave your name and no. for a callback<\/p>\n Other help resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Medicare: 1 (800) MEDICARE \u2014 operates 24\/7, 365 days a year (for shorter wait times, call at night) https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/<\/u><\/a> for plan finders<\/p>\n Medicare Rights Center (NYC): (800) 333-4114 https:\/\/www.medicare rights.org\/counseling-and-advocacy<\/u><\/p>\n NYS Office for the Aging (HIICAP): (800) 701-0501 https:\/\/aging.ny.gov\/health-insurance-information-counseling-and-assistance-programs<\/a><\/p>\n NY Department of Financial Services (NY DFS) website for Medigap planfinders:<\/p>\n
\nGETTING HELP WITH MEDICARE and additional health plans<\/strong><\/p>\n