Ohioans urged to attend Medicare check-up day events

| October 21, 2016

COLUMBUS  — The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), a division of the Ohio Department of Insurance, will visit Coshocton County to hold a Medicare Check-Up Day event on Friday, Oct. 28, at the Coshocton Senior Center located at 201 Browns Lane in Coshocton. This event is by counseling appointment only and will begin at 9:00 a.m. Call 740-622-4852 to schedule.

“Our aggressive statewide efforts have begun and we are excited to help Ohioans as they make decisions about Medicare coverage,” said Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, also director of the Ohio Department of Insurance. “We are holding Medicare Check-Up Day events in every county to make it easier for Ohioans to access the information they need to understand their best insurance coverage options for 2017.”

During Medicare’s annual open enrollment, Ohioans can:

  • Stay on or return to Original Medicare and shop for a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
  • Select a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits, typically including drug coverage.
  • Determine if their existing coverage will continue to meet their health insurance needs.

Attendees can also learn more about recent Medicare plan changes and financial assistance programs, which help pay prescription drug costs and Part B premiums.

Protecting Against Fraud and Identity Theft

Taylor warns Ohioans to be aware of predatory sales practices during open enrollment. The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) will be present at Check-Up Day events to encourage Medicare recipients to protect their Medicare card, and explain how to detect fraudulent behavior and how to report issues. If a consumer suspects wrongdoing, they should call the department’s Fraud and Enforcement hotline at 1-800-686-1527 or the SMP at 1-800-488-6070.

Those unable to attend a Medicare Check-Up Day event can contact OSHIIP at 1-800-686-1578, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Information including specific plan details is available at www.medicare.gov.

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