AAACAP kickoffs Medicare Open Enrollment with outreach

Benefits Counselors with Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP), a CAPCOG division, are preparing older adults for Medicare Open Enrollment by conducting multiple educational outreach events with community partners that work with those 65 or older. Medicare open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2021.

“Open enrollment can be a confusing process, and we want to make it as easy as possible for those seeking to change their benefits,” said Yvette McVey, AAACAP lead benefits counselor. “We want to answer qualifying older adults’ questions now, get their documents ready, and even show them how to compare options, so they be ready on day one.”

During open enrollment, beneficiaries can join a new Medicare Advantage plan or a new stand-alone prescription drug plan. They also can return to original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan from a Medicare Advantage plan. The benefits counselors’ educational outreach events review the process and the tools older adults can use to compare and switch plans, such as Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder. They also discuss how benefits counselors and other Medicare services can help determine which plan is right for the consumer and how to prevent Medicare related scams as well as correct common Medicare misinformation.

AAACAP benefits counselors have conducted the education events via Zoom and in-person for groups such as local library adult programs, nonprofit health care advocates, senior centers, the Texas Department of Insurance, and other organizations serving older adults. Organizations can schedule their own Medicare educational outreach event by contacting the Benefits Counseling Program.

Contact the Benefits Counseling Program.

Read more about Medicare Open Enrollment.