Medicare Open Enrollment Period Has Begun

The Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) offers free, unbiased coaching and enrollment assistance to Rhode Islanders during the Open Enrollment period, and year-round. More than 200,000 people are covered by Medicare in the state. Rhode Island’s Medicare Open Enrollment period is coordinated by OHA’s nationally recognized State Health Information Program (SHIP). Through a robust network of community partners and volunteers, SHIP provides free, personalized coaching on Medicare benefits and services to older Rhode Islanders, adults with disabilities, families and caregivers. Last year, their 70+ SHIP counselors served more than 20,000 residents.

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15 and runs through December 7.

This year, OHA is sponsoring over 170 Medicare Open Enrollment events throughout the state. You can access a list of dates and locations on the OHA site or contact The POINT at 401-462-4444 to schedule an appointment with a certified SHIP counselor. There is also a Rhode Island SHIP toll-free line available at 1-888-884-8721.

Given how important yet challenging it is  to determine what plan best fits your needs and provides you with the necessary coverage, we recently invited Janet Galluccio, a certified volunteer SHIP counselor , and Meghan Connelly from the Office of Healthy Aging to join the Age-Friendly RI Radio Hour about the importance of finding the right coverage at the right cost. Missed the episode?  You can listen to a recording HERE.