MEDICARE CHECKUPS

Keeping up with the always-changing health care marketplace isn’t always easy.

The Council on Aging of Etowah County is here to help, with a plan to host free checkup sessions that will help Medicare beneficiaries understand their benefits and enroll in the Part D plan — the part that covers prescription medications — that saves them the most money.

For older folks and those with conditions that demand a lot of medication, it’s a big deal, and Part D changes every year, according to CAEC Director Jenifer Grace.

“Those who have diabetes may have gotten a letter saying their insurance doesn’t carry their insulin anymore,” Grace offered as an example. “We either have to find another plan that provides that insulin or help them register an account with Senior RX.”

Open enrollment for the sessions opens Monday, with dozens of dates and locations through Dec. 7, the final session date. Attendees can enroll in plans during the sessions, file Medicare claims and appeals and get information about health insurance from professionals. Each session is first-come, first-served, with no appointments or reservations necessary. Visitors do need to bring their Medicare card and a list of their current prescriptions, with strength and dosage included.

Grace said the program tended to about 500 people last year, and the organization saved them $144,000 in prescription drug costs and another $100,000 in the Senior RX program, which helps get medicines free or at a reduced cost.

Changes to Part D are announced in October, and Grace said she wants to be sure Medicare recipients see and take note of notices announcing the change that come through the mail. Changes to the plan may not be favorable, so it’s important that seniors stay on top of their insurance.

“I think every senior deserves every little penny they can save,” Grace said. “With the high cost of everything else in the world, sometimes it can make a big difference.”

The dates and locations of all sessions are listed below. Call the CAEC at 256-543-3616 or 256-492-0230 for more information.

Attalla Library – 604 N. Fourth St., Attalla

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 1 

Campbell Court – 100 Campbell Court, Gadsden

10 a.m. to noon Oct. 22

Carnes Recreation Center – 102 Cast St. NE, Attalla

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 6 

Cherry Creek – 507 Cherry St. NE, Attalla

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 2 

Council on Aging Office – 623 Broad St., Gadsden

9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Oct. 22, 24, 29, 31; Nov. 5, 7 (morning session only), 19, 21, 26, 28; Dec. 3-7

Exchange Bank Gadsden – 230 N. Third St., Gadsden

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 29

Exchange Bank Altoona – 7170 Sixth Ave., Altoona

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 30

Etowah County Courthouse (RSVP) – 800 Forrest Ave., Gadsden

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 8

George Wallace Senior Center – 407 Hollingsworth Park Dr., Glencoe

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 and Dec. 6

Gadsden Public Library – 254 College Ave., Gadsden

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday; Oct. 23, 30; Nov. 13, 20, 27.

Hokes Bluff Senior Center – 5981 Gilliland St., Hokes Bluff

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 15

Holy Comforter House – 745 Walnut St., Gadsden

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 19

Rainbow City Community Center – 3702 Rainbow Dr., Rainbow City

10 a.m. to noon Oct. 19

Sardis City Senior Center – 1335 Sardis Dr., Sardis City

10 a.m. to noon Nov. 29

Walnut Grove Library – 5151 Walnut Grove Rd., Walnut Grove

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8