State Executive Office on Aging Offers Free Preparation Guidance for Medicare Open Enrollment

The Medicare open enrollment will be starting soon and the Hawaii Executive Office on Aging and the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) are hosting several events to offer guidance to those turning 65 or those enrolled in Medicare to learn and choose the best Medicare plan to fit their healthcare needs.

The Project Grad 65 presentation informs people turning 65 about Social Security retirement benefits and Medicare basics to guide them with the enrollment period in Medicare. The open enrollment period gives beneficiaries the opportunity to join, switch or drop a Medicare plan with coverage beginning on January 1, 2023.

The Medicare Annual Open Enrollment period begins on Oct. 15 and ends on Dec. 7. Hawaii SHIP will be available for virtual, phone and in-person sessions to assist kupuna. The following are the program’s resources and schedule:

Phone and Zoom consultations statewide
808-586-7299, 1-888-875-9229, hawaiiship.org
A Medicare counselor will contact those who request an appointment within two to five business days.

In-person consultations on Oahu
One-hour counseling – Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. To make an appointment, call 808-586-7299 or 1-888-875-9229 and visit hawaiiship.org.

Oct. 21 and 28, Nov. 10 and 18, 10am-2pm – Consultations will be available at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin located at 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu.

Nov. 2 and Dec 1, 10am-2pm – More consultations available at the Pearl City Public Library located at 1138 Waimano Home Road, Pearl City.