Turning 65? Podcast Covers What Georgians Need to Know about Medicare and Avoiding Scams

When should you enroll in Medicare? What happens if you’re still covered through a job or a spouse’s insurance? And how do you separate reliable information from a convincing sales pitch?

Get answers on this month’s AARP Georgia’s Red Clay Talks podcast. Hosts Adrion Bell and Michael H. Cole join Alexander DeAbreu, an outreach specialist with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, for a conversation about enrollment, coverage choices and avoiding scams.

With his own 65th birthday approaching, Cole brings questions you may share. Watch the full episode to explore what to ask before enrolling, how to look beyond a sales pitch and where to turn for trustworthy help.

Free, unbiased help is available in Georgia

Georgia’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Georgia SHIP) offers free, unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers. It is not affiliated with an insurance company and does not sell insurance. Counselors can explain coverage choices, help with enrollment questions and assist with applications for financial assistance. Georgians can call 1-866-552-4464, option 4, for help.

The conversation also explores assistance for people with limited income and resources. Depending on eligibility, Medicare Savings Programs can help with certain Medicare premiums and other out-of-pocket costs, while Extra Help can reduce prescription drug expenses. Georgia SHIP counselors can help people understand and apply for these programs.

Anyone uncertain about a caller can hang up and contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Suspected fraud can also be reported through that number.

Watch the full episode of AARP Georgia’s Red Clay Talks: Georgia Red Clay Talks - Medicare Podcast