If all this seems too confusing, there are several ways to get help. Here are some options:
* The Medicare website, medicare.gov offers an online program called the Medicare Plan Finder that can help find and compare plans based on your personal information. Since the cost for coverage varies depending on where you live, this can be a helpful tool. Be sure to go to the official Medicare website. There are many other websites with the term “Medicare” in them. Only the medicare.gov address is the official site.
* The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Regional Office offers information about seminars and health fairs designed to help seniors choose a plan. The phone number is 312-353-7180 and the website is cms.gov.
* The Senior Health Insurance Program or SHIP offers free, personalized health insurance counseling. The phone number is 800-252-8966 and website is illinois.gov/aging/SHIP/Pages/default.aspx.
