An agency in Rock Island is helping seniors review or change their Medicare coverage. During its Open Enrollment period, the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging is offering free counseling for those with Part D and Advantage plans.
Jennifer Boedeker , from the agency, says misunderstandings are a common reason for people to put off reviewing their coverage.
"The common misconception is that they [seniors] haven't had any changes in their medicine, so they think that there's no need to look at their plan. [But] in fact, regardless of their medicine changing or not, the plans change."
Boedeker says the agency's counseling during Open Enrollment offers more than just a chance to review: it's also a chance to save money.
"We have had a lot of people who have been in the same plan for years, and [when they] finally come in for an open enrollment, they end up saving money because they've been in a plan and overpaying."
The Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging helped about 150 seniors during last year's enrollment period, and helped them save over 81 thousand dollars. Its office is located in the 700 block of 34th Avenue in Rock Island, and seniors can make appointments or drop by.
The deadline to enroll or to make changes is December 7.
