Americans have seven weeks to select new Medicare plans or choose to stay with current coverage. During this year’s Medicare open-enrollment period, which ends Dec. 7, the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services and the state’s Area Agencies on Aging will offer free one-on-one assistance and community presentations to help Georgians make decisions about Medicare health and prescription drug plans, according to a news release from the department.

GeorgiaCares, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), offers personalized assistance through a toll-free help line at 866-55AGING (866-552-4464). Consumers may also compare plans at www.Medicare.gov or call 800-Medicare (800-633-4227).

GeorgiaCares SHIP counselors also assist with filling out applications for “Extra Help,” which covers costs associated with Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-payments for financially eligible individuals. Online applications are available at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp or through the Social Security hotline at (800) 772-1213.

For more information about GeorgiaCares and other services available to older Georgians and their families, visit the Division of Aging Services at www.aging.ga.gov or call (866) 55-AGING (552-4464).

Rep. Austin Scott to hold drug benefit workshops

In addition, Eighth District U.S. Rep. Austin Scott’s office will hold a workshop for seniors in Forsyth and Warner Robins to discuss Medicare’s Part D prescription drug benefit.

According to a release, Part D plans change each year, and the workshops are meant to give seniors information to ensure they are enrolled in the plan that best suits their needs. Scott’s staff and volunteers will be available to personally answer questions, the release stated.

On Tuesday, a workshop will be at Central Georgia Technical College’s Forsyth Campus, 433 U.S. 41, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Nov. 13, a workshop will be in Warner Robins at Middle Georgia Technical College, Building H, at 80 Cohen Walker Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cassie Smedile, Scott’s spokeswoman, said he might to be at the Forsyth workshop but will be back in Washington when the Warner Robins workshop is held.

Attendees can expedite the process by filling out the Medicare Part D Enrollment Event worksheet at Scott’s website, austinscott.house.gov. For more information, call Scott’s Tifton office at (229) 396-5175.