Medicare Assistance
Don’t wait until you are 65 to start thinking about your Medicare choices. There are many options and decisions to make that take time and thoughtful consideration. Trained volunteers can assist you with tax preparation at various locations between January and April each year.
Free tax preparation is available for low- and middle-income taxpayers, as well as seniors, through a partnership between COA, the AARP Tax Assistance Program, the IRS and the NC Department of Revenue.
Electronic filing is available for safe and accurate preparation and fast refunds.
Medicare and SHIIP consultations and workshops
The Council On Aging offers free, confidential counseling to help you navigate the bureaucratic system of Medicare. Through the statewide Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) we provide individual consultation and workshops in our office and at a location near you. COA staff and SHIIP volunteers are trained and certified to help you manage a complicated system.
COA SHIIP Medicare Outreach Coordinator, John Wingerter, organizes workshops at locations around the county. This means less driving and easier access to the information you need. The outreach effort, funded by Sisters of Mercy Services Corporation, enables COA to partner with libraries and community centers, serving over 100 people who have already attended classes and learned new information to help them make their Medicare choices. Contact John at JohnW@coabc.org or 828-277-8288 ext. 308 to make a personal appointment.
View the Medicare Class Schedule for the second quarter of 2013.
Additional resources are available on the Internet. Visit the SHIIP website to learn about various Medicare topics or to www.medicare.gov for general information and step-by-step directions for choosing the Medicare Part D plan that is right for you.
Read the current SHIIP Monthly Column
For information on locations and dates for Tax Assistance appointments call COA at 828-277-8288. Click here for a list of classes for 2013.
Sign Up for E-news
