There are 3,237 people in the TARCOG region collectively saving more than $3.4 million this year on their Medicare insurance premiums thanks to the Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
This year the program served 488 more people and saved almost $1 million more total dollars than last year during the Medicare Open Enrollment period between October and December, said Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey.
SHIP is an important program because change is inevitable in people’s lives.
For example, one client faced $282,000 in medication charges under his existing prescription plan for 2025 because of a recently diagnosed condition.
His 2024 plan didn’t cover any of the new medications he needs. After he met with SHIP Resource Coordinator Teresa Hazzard, she found a new plan for him that dropped his total medication cost for the year down to $2,000.
There are many plans out there and they all offer different coverages. Teresa said she and the other coordinators are able to compare a client’s medication list with the different plans and find the most cost-effective option to share with the client.
“We saw a lot of new clients this year, but I also saw or talked with a lot I know by name because I’ve helped them over the past 10 years,” she said. “I love it because when you look at that savings number, that’s money that is going back into our client’s pockets that they can spend on other needs.”
Open Enrollment for Medicare programs that are in place this year began last year on Oct. 15 and ended on Dec. 7. The TARCOG team responsible for answering questions and helping all TARCOG clients includes:
- Teresa, who works out of TARCOG’s headquarters in Huntsville, and Kathryn Kestner from Studio 60 Senior Center in Huntsville in Madison County
- Veronica Woodall in Jackson County
- Lynn Hixon and Emily McCamy in DeKalb County
- Tammy McElroy, Susan Bishop and Kennedy Cooper in Marshall County
- Heidi Stinnett, Carla Sims, and Helen Carter in Limestone County
The specialists are responsible for answering questions and helping all TARCOG clients in their respective counties. They are also among the certified counselors and volunteers throughout the state who are committed to helping Medicare beneficiaries make informed choices regarding health benefits at no charge to Medicare recipients.
Together, the regional counselors met or talked with 3,237 seniors during the 2024 Open Enrollment period. The total savings for those clients during 2025 will amount to $3,404,862.06
