Free event to help with Medicare review

Staff report

COLUMBIANA

Ohio Department of Insurance’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program is offering a free Medicare checkup event at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Columbiana County Senior Center, 600 E. 4th St.

The event, intended to help people review changes to Medicare and determine their best coverage option for 2012, coincides with Medicare’s annual election period, which runs to Dec. 7.

During the election period, beneficiaries can select one of several health-coverage options: original Medicare paired with a stand-alone Part D prescription-drug plan and/or a Medicare Supplement plan; a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits including drug coverage; or determine if their current coverage will meet their health-insurance needs for the upcoming year.

Ohioans are urged to watch for predatory sales practices during annual enrollment.

People who feel they have been victimized should call the insurance department’s fraud-and-enforcement division hot line at 800-686-1527.