COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French announced that the department's Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) has started its virtual and on-site statewide Medicare Checkup events to help Ohioans prepare for Medicare's Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 open enrollment period to select coverage for 2024. OSHIIP is the state's official Medicare educational and counseling program.
During the events, participants will learn Medicare fundamentals and changes, how to compare plans, prescription drug coverage options, and ways to save money. The events are presentation-only until Oct. 15 when plan comparisons and counseling services become included in most events.
The careful evaluation of Medicare options is imperative because plans may have different benefits, out-of-pocket costs, covered prescription drugs, in-network physicians, and premiums each year. Medicare will release 2024 plan information on Oct. 1 at medicare.gov.
To search onsite events by county and to register for a virtual event, visit insurance.ohio.gov/medicare. OSHIIP also offers individual virtual counseling — appointments can be scheduled on the department's website — and assistance via oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov and 800-686-1578. Medicare representatives are available at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).