Libraries helping seniors figure out Medicare
One of the ways that local libraries are serving their communities is preparing seniors for Medicare. Taking the confusion out of Medicare for new beneficiaries, answering their questions and helping them navigate the many parts and understand their healthcare insurance options is one of the informative public service offerings of the Mid-Continent, Kansas City, Mo., North Kansas City, Kansas City, Kan., and Olathe public libraries.
“Medicare is a really good thing although hard to understand,” says Chris Wilt, a Medicare MediGap specialist.
The semi-retired independent broker presents Medicare Explained in Plain English for the Mid-Continent Public Library system, and the North Kansas City libraries; and Medicare Made Easy for the Kansas City Public Library’s Central and Waldo branches.
Mid-Continent also offers Medicare 101 presented by trained counselors from the Missouri State Health Insurance Program. The Olathe Public Library sponsors Help With Your Medicare Costs and Preventive Services presented by the Kansas Medicare Grants Program and New to Medicare
Enrollment and Benefits presented by Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas specialists.
And on Aug. 1, Wilt presented Medicare Made Clear at the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library Main Branch.
Today’s public libraries are more like community centers, offering informative, educational, recreational and social activities along with lending books and other materials. They anticipate and respond to their respective communities’ needs and interests. And Medicare’s a top trending topic for good reason.
Until recently, “baby boomers” – the 76 million people born between 1946 and 1964 – were the largest generation in U.S. history. According to the Pew Research Center, 10,000 people across the U.S. reach age 65 every day, a statistic mirrored in the local population. Adults age 65 and older make up more than 11 percent of the nine-county Kansas City metropolitan area and are projected to account for 18 percent by 2030.
Presentations to help new beneficiaries and people who currently have Medicare coverage better understand the comprehensive health care program for older adults serve a real need. There are 160-plus pages in the government’s Medicare and You booklet. The terminology can be confusing and the number of coverage options dauntingly endless and bewildering.
Wilt says, “I make the material easy to understand without the gobbledygook and try to alleviate the anxiety people have over Medicare.”
He recommends getting a head start. Start learning about Medicare and exploring various supplemental healthcare insurance coverage options early.
“It wouldn’t hurt to attend a seminar up to a year before they turn 65,” Wilt says. “Medicare won’t fundamentally change, and people don’t know how complicated it’s going to be.”
He’s willing to present Medicare seminars at no charge to community gatherings upon request, he said. Wilt can be reached at 816-363-2657 or wilt.chris@gmail.com.
U.S. citizens are eligible for Medicare coverage at age 65, but enrollment isn’t always automatic. If they’re not already enrolled because of certain disabilities, 65-year-olds must enroll in Medicare from the seven-month span of three months before and three months following their 65th birthday.
Besides attending informational Medicare workshops/seminars, seniors can prepare by visiting the Social Security Website (www.medicare.gov for English, https://es.medicare.gov for Spanish), contacting their local Social Security office or phoning 1-800-772-1213, the Social Security toll-free number for English and Spanish speakers.
For a schedule of libraries’ Medicare seminars & workshops or to reserve a seat
Mid-Continent Public Library mymcpl.org 816-836-5200 administrative headquarters
Kansas City, Mo. Public Library kclibrary.org 816-701-3400
North Kansas City Public Library nkcpl.org 816-221-3360
Kansas City, Kan., Public Library Main Branch kckpl.org 913-551-3280
