Learn to Understand Your Medicare Benefits for FREE in Lee County

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - Oct. 4, 2018 - PRLog -- The Medicare Open Enrollment Period begins on October 15, and future and current Medicare beneficiaries are invited to attend free presentations about the ins and outs of Medicare in Lee County.  The presentations will feature professionally trained counselors of the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program.  SHINE is a Medicare counseling program offered locally through the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL).
Five free presentations will be offered in October at the following dates and locations (advance registration not required unless otherwise indicated):
Oct 11        12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.        Florida SouthWestern State College
         Topic: Open Enrollment and Medicare Part D
         Bldg. AA, Room 177
         8099 College Pkwy., Fort Myers, Fla. 33919
Oct. 19       10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.      Healthy Life Center – Estero*
         Topic: Open Enrollment and Medicare Part D
         Coconut Point Mall
         23190 Fashion Dr., Suite 105, Estero, Fla. 33928
         *RSVP to 239-495-4475
Oct. 25       4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.         Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ
         Topic: Medicare 101 and Open Enrollment
         2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, Fla. 33957
Oct. 29       4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.          Healthy Life Center – Cape Coral*
         Topic: Open Enrollment and Medicare Part D
         609 SE 13th Ct., Cape Coral, Fla. 33990
         *RSVP to 239-424-3210
Oct. 31       10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.      Lake Kennedy Center
         Topic: Open Enrollment and Medicare Part D
         400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, Fla. 33991

The "Open Enrollment and Medicare Part D" presentation covers participants' many Medicare options and how to save on Part D (prescription coverage).  "Medicare 101" is a well-rounded presentation that teaches the basics of Medicare Parts A, B, C and D.  At all presentations, SHINE counselors will also discuss how to prepare for the Open Enrollment Period and explain the new Medicare cards which have begun distribution to Florida residents. Counselors will be available to answer questions after the presentations.

SHINE is a program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and is operated locally through AAASWFL. Specially-trained SHINE counselors help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to understand their health care options so they can make the best decisions for their individual needs.

The SHINE mission is to provide free and unbiased information about Medicare and Medicaid for beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. SHINE also educates beneficiaries to protect, detect, and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse with their Medicare coverage.

To receive help from SHINE, individuals may call to schedule appointments at designated SHINE counseling sites, attend enrollment events in their local communities, or arrange to speak with a trained SHINE counselor by calling the AAASWFL Elder Helpline 1-866-41-ELDER (1-866-413-5337). For a listing of SHINE counseling sites and enrollment events, please visit http://www.floridashine.org.

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (http://www.aaaswfl.org) is a nonprofit organization serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota Counties.  AAASWFL is the state's designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for Southwest Florida.  The organization is committed to connecting older adults and adults with disabilities to resources and assistance for living safely with independence and dignity.  More information is available at www.aaaswfl.org or by calling the toll-free Helpline at 866-413-5337 (866-41-ELDER).