Medicare Enrollment Is Here And Free Help is Available
The Medicare enrollment period is now open but with cutbacks and employee layoffs due to the ongoing government shutdown many Medicare recipients and enrollees are concerned with how the annual open window could be impacted. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) the 2025 Medicare open enrollment period will proceed as scheduled, and current Medicare coverage is not affected.
That means the Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama's free counseling service will proceed as usual to assist residents in navigating the daunting process.
All of the open enrollment commercials in the media can be confusing and that makes the unbiased advice from the agency a critical tool. They assist residents of Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties. The advice from the agency is federally funded through the State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP).
"Counselors are not working for or affiliated with any insurance companies," the agency stated in a press release in assuring impartiality in their guidance.
Residents needing assistance can contact the agency at 205-333-2990 to schedule an appointment. You can call the Area Agency on Aging if you are outside of the served West Alabama counties by call toll free at 1-800-AGELINE.
The enrollment period opened October 15 and runs until December 7. During this time, you can compare plans and make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans, with changes taking effect on January 1, 2026.
More From Tuscaloosa Thread
