Making Sense Of Drug Coverage

Bridgeport — St Vincent’s Medical Center is sponsoring “Making Sense About Medicare Part D,” an informational lecture to help area residents understand Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage and enable them to save money on medicine. The next lecture, which is free and open to the general public, is Wednesday, February 22, from 2 to 4 pm, in the Hawley Conference Center of St Vincent’s Medical Center.

Featured speakers will include a representative from the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging (SWAAA), and Gerd Weindling, a Medicare counselor certified by CHOICES, a federal government program coordinating locally with the Agency on Aging.

Mr Weindling has also served as St Vincent’s Medicare/health insurance counselor for ten years.

“The lectures should help seniors determine the right choice regarding the Medicare Part D prescription plan and instruct them on how to enroll in order to save money,” said Mr Weindling. “We can help them clarify which plan will be most beneficial.”

The new drug plan went into effect January 1, and is available to anyone who has Medicare. If seniors do not have any drug coverage at all, then Medicare’s new prescription plan can cover a significant part of drug costs.

If seniors already have coverage, they can sign up if they think it will save them money. The lectures will provide information to assist them in making this decision.

A question and answer period will be offered at the end of the lecture. Free parking is available and light refreshments will be served.

In addition to the upcoming lecture, Mr Weindling also offers one-on-one counseling on Medicare and health insurance concerns on a weekly basis every Wednesday from 10 am to noon. On the first Wednesday of the month, the program is presented at St Vincent’s Wellness Booth located on the lower level of Westfield Shoppingtown Trumbull near Macy’s entrance.

All other Wednesdays he meets with participants in the Level 2 South Conference Room at St Vincent’s Medical Center. To register for the lectures or for more information on the lecture series or weekly counseling sessions, call St Vincent’s toll-free Care Line at 877-255-SVHS (7847).