IUE to sponsor Medicare seminars

Staff report

Warren

The International Union of Electrical Workers Local 717 has partnered with a health-care-consultant firm to help seniors eligible for Medicare understand how the new health-care-reform bill will affect their coverage.

MB Senior Solutions, Dayton-based health-care consultants that specialize in Medicare, have opened an office in the IUE-CWA Local 717 union hall here.

The firm will host seminars this summer to help seniors eligible for Medicare navigate the enrollment process and answer questions about health-care-reform changes, said Karen Krolopp, Local 717 president.

“People call us every day and ask, ‘How do I know what decision to make when I don’t know what the law means, and how will I be affected?’” Krolopp said.

MB Senior Solutions has identified three major areas of change that will affect seniors, said president Don Mackos. They are changes in the Medicare Advantage plans, changes in Medicare Part D pharmacy plans and increased preventive services available through Medicare.

These changes will take effect over about four years. Many seniors will have to alter their plans as the changes occur, Mackos said.

“Seniors can’t enroll in a plan and stay in that plan forever anymore,” Mackos said. “It is an analysis they will have to go through every fall to make sure their plan still works for them.”

The meetings will be open to all community members who are eligible for Medicare.

The IUE-CWA Local 717 has about 5,000 Medicare-eligible members, Krolopp said.

The meetings will take place at the Local 717 union hall, 2950 Sferra Ave., at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 10 and 17, July 15 and 21 and Aug. 12 and 19.