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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.
Brazoria County
| Location | Address | Schedule | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) - Angleton | 140 E. Hospital Dr. Angleton, TX 77515 |
4th Monday of every month, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Please call 979-848-9120 to make an appointment |
| Brazoria County Dream Center | 792 Brazosport Blvd S. Clute, TX 77531 |
3rd Thursday of every month, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Walk-in Appointments |
Chambers Country
| Location | Address | Schedule | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellness Center at Bayside | 2202 S. Main St. Anahuac, TX 77514 |
1st Wednesday of every month | Walk-in Appointments |
| First United Methodist Church | 117 Freeman St. Winnie, TX 77665 |
3rd Tuesday of every month | Walk-in Appointments |
Fort Bend County
| Location | Address | Schedule | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamie George Community Center | 1111 Collins Rd. Richmond, TX 77469 |
1st Tuesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Walk-in Appointments |
Galveston County
| Location | Address | Schedule | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) - Galveston | 1200 Market St. Galveston, TX 77550 |
2nd Thursday of every 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. |
Please call 409-763-5604 to make an appointment |
| Gulf Breeze Apartments | 1211 21st St. Galveston, TX 77550 |
4th Wednesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Walk-in Appointments |
Liberty County
| Location | Address | Schedule | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton Retirement Center | 1900 N. Winfree St. Dayton, TX 77535 |
2nd Wednesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Walk-in Appointments |
Montgomery County
| Location | Address | Schedule | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area Agency on Aging Satellite Office | 701 N. Loop 336 E., Suite 109 Conroe, Texas 77301 |
2nd Tuesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Please call 1-800-437-7396 to make an appointment |
| Montgomery County Memorial Library System - Central Library | 104 I-45 North Conroe, TX 77301 |
2nd Wednesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Please call 936-522-2147 to make an appointment |
Wharton County
| Location | Address | Schedule | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Campo Branch Library | 200 W. Church St. El Campo, TX 77437 |
4th Thursday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Walk-in Appointments |
| Wharton County Library | 1920 N. Fulton St. Wharton, TX 77488 |
1st Thursday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Walk-in Appointments |
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.
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