Free LGBT Friendly Medicare Information And Counseling Available

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B's (AAA1-B) Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is partnering with Affirmations to offer LGBT Medicare beneficiaries free information and assistance on Medicare and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plans during open enrollment now thru Dec. 7. The AAA 1-B will provide "Medicare 2015 Changes" presentations and offer free, in-person assistance at Medicare Part D Assistance Days at Affirmations in Ferndale (see dates and times below). Medicare counselors will also be available to answer questions over the phone throughout the open enrollment period.
"We are excited to partner with Affirmations and provide LGBT-friendly Medicare education and assistance events during Medicare's open enrollment period," said Jennifer Therrien, manager of the AAA 1-B's Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program. "It is important beneficiaries review their Medicare Part D plan every year to make sure the plan still covers their prescriptions and is still is the most affordable coverage option. Plans have the ability to change their premium costs, deductibles and co-pays each year. If a person's medications have changed, their out of pocket costs may also be impacted."
The following Medicare Education and Assistance events will be provided at Affirmations, located at 290 W. Nine Mile Rd. in Ferndale. The general public event will be held Nov. 11, 6 to 7 p.m. The LGBT only event is Nov. 19, 3 to 4 p.m.
Medicare Part D Assistance Days offers in-person counseling and a chance for people to sit down with a MMAP counselor to review their current Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plan in order to choose a new plan option during the annual open enrollment period. The general public event will be held Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The LGBT only event is Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration is required to attend these events. Please call the AAA 1-B's Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program at 1-800-803-7174 to register.
Medicare Part D Counseling by Phone
For assistance with Medicare Part D prescription plan choices over the phone, beneficiaries can call the AAA 1-B's MMAP counselors at 1-800-803-7174 Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.