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The Benefits Counseling Team provides free and unbiased help with Medicare. Assistance is available to anyone eligible for Medicare, regardless of age, and their caregivers. The program is sometimes called the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or the Texas Health Information Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). Benefits Counselors can assist with:
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Medicare Parts A and B
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Part C Medicare Advantage Plans
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Part D Prescription Drug Plans
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Medigap Plans/ Medicare Supplement Insurance
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Medicare enrollment periods
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Low-income assistance programs
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Prescription assistance
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Medicare appeals
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Working past 65
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Medicare’s Coordination with Other Benefits (including V.A Benefits, TriCare, CHAMPVA, TRS, FEHB, ERS, COBRA, and Active Employer Coverage)
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Long-term care insurance
Monthly Benefits Check-Up Days in Your Community
Receive free and unbiased Medicare help in your community! A certified Benefits Counselor is on location monthly at these sites for in-person assistance.
Mamie George Community Center
1111 Collins Rd.
Richmond, TX 77469
1st Tuesday of each month, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Walk-in Appointments
El Campo Branch Library
200 W. Church St.
El Campo, TX 77437
3rd Thursday of each month, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Walk-in Appointments
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) - Angleton
140 E. Hospital Dr
Angleton, TX 77515
4th Monday of each month, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Call 979-848-9120 for an Appointment
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) - Galveston
1200 Market
Galveston, TX 77550
2nd Thursday of each month
Medicare 101 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
One on one appointments from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Call 409-763-5604 for an Appointment
Actions, Inc.
1524 E. Mulberry St. #135
Angleton, TX 77515
4th Wednesday of each month, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Call 979-849-6132 for an Appointment
Brazoria County Dream Center
792 Brazosport Blvd. S
Clute, TX 77531
3rd Thursday of each month, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Dayton Retirement Center
1900 N Winfree St.
Dayton, TX 77535
2nd Wednesday of each month, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Walk-In Appointments
Brazoria County Dream Center
792 Brazosport Blvd. S
Clute, TX 77531
3rd Thursday of each month, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Please note that these dates are subject to change based on holidays and inclement weather.
If you would like to host a Benefits Check-Up Day at your community agency or would like us to present on Medicare-related topics at an educational event, please contact us at 1-800-437-7396 and ask to speak to a Benefits Counselor.
Help with Medicare Costs
There are assistance programs to help lower Medicare costs, such as prescription copays, Part B premiums, and more. The Benefits Counseling team helps individuals apply for these assistance programs if they seem eligible. Even if an individual does not qualify for an assistance program, a Benefits Counselor can review current coverage and assist with other resources, such as pharmaceutical assistance programs.
Helpful Links
Medicare Plan Finder
Rx Assist
NeedyMeds
GoodRx
NCOA Benefits Check-Up
Legal Assistance
The Benefits Counseling Team also works with legal agencies such as Texas Legal Services Center and the Elder Justice Project to provide some legal assistance services for individuals age 60 and older. Benefits Counselors can provide legal assistance on:
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Long-term care Medicaid eligibility
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Qualified Income Trust (QIT) assistance
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Advance directives (such as durable and medical power of attorney forms) information, assistance, and referrals to local legal aid organizations