Local help available for Medicare sign-up

Local counselors have been trained and will be available for Medicare enrollment help.
The annual Medicare enrollment period is from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for those eligible for the program.
Counselors for Moniteau County are Tim Baker, Darrell Hendrickson and Rochelle Hendrickson.
Counselors will be available in Tipton Mondays from 3-5 p.m. at the Price James Library, beginning Oct. 17, and in California on Tuesdays from 1 - 3:30 p.m., beginning Oct. 18, on the second floor at the Moniteau County Library @ Wood Place.
There are no charges for any of CLAIM's services. To make arrangements to talk to a counselor or for more information, call the toll-free number at 1-800-390-3330. Check for an event in your area at www.missouriclaim.org/events.
Medicare can be very complex for individuals who are enrolling or those who may be assisting a loved one.
To help beneficiaries make good choices, the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration offers the CLAIM program. The three counselors for Moniteau County are CLAIM-certified and are able to provide free unbiased help during Medicare's annual enrollment period.
CLAIM, which is Missouri's State Health Insurance Program or SHIP, has been serving Missourians since 1993, and exists solely to provide Medicare beneficiaries with free, unbiased counseling for their Medicare questions and issues. The program is funded from a federal grant and state funds.
CLAIM can help with questions about Medicare and the decisions a Medicare beneficiary needs to make during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period.
CLAIM can also assist with questions about Part D (prescription drug) enrollment and changes, billion, appeals and grievances, and can provide screening for low-income assistance.