RALEIGH, NC (April 18, 2018)…Many retirees and Medicare beneficiaries are on a fixed income and want to save money wherever they can. Each year, thousands of people contact SHIIP throughout the state to help them identify savings in their Medicare coverages.
Throughout the year, but particularly during the Medicare Open Enrollment period from October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries are urged to compare their current coverage for the Part D Prescription Drug plan to determine if their current plan is still the most appropriate for the coming year. Each year formularies change, prices change and programs change and many times the Medicare beneficiary is unaware of the differences.
In 2017, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), along with the SHIIP coordinating sites statewide, assisted 102,000 consumers saving them $60 million. In addition, nearly 6500 consumers received assistance applying for the Extra Help program. In Caldwell County, the Satie and J.E. Broyhill Caldwell Senior Center assisted 1,140 consumers and saved Caldwell County residents $1,294,610.
If you have questions about Medicare or the Extra Help program, contact SHIIP at 1-855-408-1212 to speak with a trained counselor or to request a free brochure. Contact information for local coordinating sites in each county in North Carolina can be found by visiting www.ncshiip.com.
About SHIIP
SHIIP is a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s Consumer Assistance Group that assists people with Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare supplement, Medicare Advantage and Long-Term care insurance questions. We also help citizens recognize and prevent Medicare billing errors and possible fraud and abuse through our N.C. Senior Medicare Patrol program.
Press release courtesy Caldwell Senior Center Executive Director April Austin