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 White Plains, NY - The Westchester Library System, in partnership with Medicare Rights Center, will offer three free programs – two in Yonkers and one in Yorktown Heights – to help older adults and their caregivers choose the Medicare health insurance plan and Medicare prescription drug plan that best meets their needs.
The free programs will be held during November and December at the Grinton I. Will Library and the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center. These programs are especially timely since Medicare’s Annual Coordinated Election Period -- from November 15 through December 31 -- is the only time when people can switch health or drug plans without restriction. From January 1 through March 31 -- Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period -- people can change health plans just once, but cannot add or drop drug coverage.
Program 1: Is Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) the Right One for You?
* What is Part D and what does it cover?
* Understanding the “Donut Hole” and other mysteries
* How to select a plan that’s right for you
* Getting help to pay for prescription drugs (EPIC and Extra Help)
Yorktown Community & Cultural Center, 1974 Commerce Street, Yorktown Heights
Friday, November 13, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Avenue, Yonkers
Wednesday, November 18, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Program 2: Is Your Medicare Health Insurance Plan the Right One for You?
* What is Original Medicare?
* What is a Medicare Private Health Plan (Medicare Advantage Plan)?
* What are Medigap Plans?
* How to compare plans
* How to get help paying for Medicare
Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Avenue, Yonkers
Wednesday, December 9, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Westchester Library System and Medicare Rights Center also offer free individual counseling to help people with Medicare and their caregivers to select the right Medicare health plan for their needs, to get help paying for Medicare, and to address other Medicare coverage questions. Counselors are available at the Health Advocacy Resource Center (HARC) at Grinton I. Will Library on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The HARC at John C. Hart Memorial Library, located at 1130 Main Street in Shrub Oak, also has counselors available every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Westchester Library System is located at 540 White Plains Road, Suite 200, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Visit the WLS website at www.westchesterlibraries.org for a complete list of programs and events throughout the Westchester Library System.
About the Health Advocacy Resource Center (HARC)
The Health Advocacy Resource Center, the first library-based collaborative center of its kind in the country, was established to help older adults and their caregivers to navigate through the confusing maze of health care information. Visitors to the Center have access to the vast array of Westchester Library System print and online health care resources, with guidance from trained volunteer counselors. HARC is located at the Grinton I. Will Library in Yonkers and the John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak. HARC is a partnership of the Westchester Library System and Medicare Rights Center, and is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, New York State Office for the Aging, and Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, with generous program support from the Helen Andrus Benedict Foundation.
About the Westchester Library System
The Westchester Library System (WLS) includes 38 member public libraries located throughout the County and is one of New York State's 23 public library systems. WLS and its member libraries have a total collection of 5.4 million items, including 3.7 million books, as well as audio recordings, videocassettes, DVDs, print serials, and other materials. The mission of the Westchester Library System is to ensure that all residents have seamless access to excellent library service throughout Westchester County. The Westchester Library System serves as a center of innovation for the Westchester County library community. WLS provides model programs, affordable and easy-to-use information technology, and support services that enable libraries to continuously improve service to their communities.
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