VIDEO: Navigating The Ins And Outs Medicare

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss.(WCBI)—Picking premiums, completing health assessments, and reviewing prescription drug plans.

Enrolling in Medicare can get overwhelming at times but one area is looking to help residents with the process.

The Winston County Library hosts the education class, to help residents tackle the healthcare giant known as Medicare.

Residents tell me they’re happy to have help navigating the moving parts.

Meet Sheila Hickman.

“I’d been on the government website that gives information but they didn’t give specific information for specific questions,”said Health Education Class  Participant Sheila Hickman.

Hickman is in the process of preparing for her and her husband’s future and that includes Medicare.

“I’m not retirement age yet but my husband is but he’s not retired. He’s enrolled in part “A” when he turned 65. I just need information for him for when he does retire to be able to step right into the other parts of medicare,”said Hickman.

Medicare provides a portion of health insurance for people 65 and older.

Benefits Adviser Ellie Saul gives advice about the ins and outs of the service.

“They were able to answer our specific questions. They had, not only the answers for those questions but they had paper work for us. They made this very simple,”said Saul.

Saul says the biggest issue most face with Medicare is knowing exactly when they become eligible to enroll.

“Three months prior to your 65th birthday, the month of and three months after you have, what is called, a golden ticket. Which means you can get any ticket that you want to associate with medicare without being asked any health questions. It’s very important that you get with an adviser,”said Benefits Adviser Ellie Saul

Hickman believes the class is helping her understand all the options available.

“If you have worked X amount of years you are eligible for this. That part “A” that people think is free you actually already paid for it. The other three premiums are very affordable compared to insurance policies you would get,”said Hickman.

Classes are held at the Winston County Library each month and are free to the public. The next class will be September 20th.