State continues Medicare counseling program

The Missouri Department of Insurance has renewed its annual contract with the Columbia-based Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri, or CLAIM, program to help older Missourians make decisions about their Medicare coverage.

The million-dollar program is funded by the state insurance department and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, according to a news release.

Seniors can set up free, one-on-one counseling sessions to help them make decisions about Medicare, the Medicare Part D prescription drug program and long-term care insurance.

The program, which uses a statewide volunteer network, provided individual counseling to more than 20,000 Missouri seniors or caregivers in 2008, and an additional 60,000 people were reached through staff and volunteer work at health fairs and senior events.

"While Medicare offers great health benefits to seniors, it can be confusing and the options overwhelming," said John M. Huff, director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, in the release. "CLAIM counselors are here to help seniors make informed choices that best suit their needs and make the process easier."

Huff encourages seniors using Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage to contact CLAIM and review their options during the annual open enrollment periods. Open enrollment for Medicare Part D runs Nov. 15-Dec. 31 each year, and it is Jan. 1-March 31 for Medicare Advantage.