If you are getting ready to retire and/or approaching age 65, remember to include Medicare in your planning. Most persons are eligible for Medicare insurance benefits at age 65.
There are many details and options to consider concerning Medicare, including how early you may sign up and the deadline for when you must sign up in order to avoid a penalty.
Medicare has several broad categories of plans that are assigned letters of the alphabet. Part A helps pay for stays in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Part B helps pay for clinic visits. Part D provides help with the cost of prescription drugs.
Choices about which plans to enroll in will depend on current and projected health needs and what other insurances the person may have.
Here in Iowa, there is a free service designed to help you make informed decisions about Medicare. This is provided by highly trained volunteers in a program called the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP).
In the Dallas County area, a SHIIP volunteer is available every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Dallas County Human Services campus at 25747 N Ave., north of Adel along U.S. Highway 169.
Call 515-993-3750 to schedule your free appointment with a SHIIP counselor.
Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator at the Dallas County Public Health Department.
