FREE Medicare D Training Program Begins Sept. 27;
Help our Seniors! Sign up Today!
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is calling for volunteers for the SHINE program: Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders. The ABCD program is designed to help seniors and younger disabled adults understand their Medicare bills and related insurance issues.
Volunteers will be prepared to be “Part D Specialists.” They receive free training in return for an eight hour per week commitment during Medicare’s Open Enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
Medicare Part D Specialists help seniors compare prescription drug plans, options, cost and benefits, working under the supervision of ABCD Elder Services staff members. A background in health insurance is not required. However, the ability is use the computer and internet is necessary.
The first training program to become a “Part D Specialist” (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage) will be held on two consecutive Thursdays: September 27 and October 4 from 1 to 5 pm at ABCD Elder Services Department, 2 Boylston Street, Suite 211, Boston. Volunteers must attend both sessions.
The second training program will be held on two consecutive Fridays: September 28 and October 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break. That training will be held at ABCD, 178 Tremont Street, Boston, Room 303.
Interested persons can call Joyce Cole of ABCD Elder Services, at 617-348-6226.
Volunteers receive free comprehensive training, a manual, mentoring and recognition for this important contribution to seniors and the community. They will volunteer at Senior Centers, Councils on Aging, Aging Service Access Points, hospitals and Neighborhood Centers in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, North End, South End, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Charlestown, South Boston as well as downtown headquarters.
The ABCD SHINE program provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare. SHINE counselors provide information on Medicare A & B, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Medigap, Mass Health, Medicaid and other programs that help pay health care costs for people with limited income and resources.
About ABCD:
ABCD serves more than 85,000 low-income Boston-area residents through its central offices and a decentralized network of Neighborhood Service Centers (NSCs), Head Start centers, Family Planning sites and Foster Grandparent sites. Programs and affiliations include Fuel Assistance; Head Start; Child Care Services; Child Care Choices of Boston; Education; Career Development; Housing and Homelessness Services; Health Services; Family Planning; Urban College of Boston; University High – an Alternative High School; Ostiguy High School for high school students in recovery; Weatherization; Foster Grandparents; Elder Services; Intergenerational Programs; management of the Combined Federal Campaign, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and City of Boston employee giving campaigns; advocacy and consumer services.
About ABCD:
ABCD serves more than 94,000 low-income Boston-area residents through its central offices and a decentralized network of Neighborhood Service Centers (NSCs), Head Start centers, Family Planning sites and Foster Grandparent sites. Programs and affiliations include Fuel Assistance; Head Start; Child Care Services; Child Care Choices of Boston; Education; Career Development; Housing and Homelessness Services; Health Services; Family Planning; Urban College of Boston; University High – an Alternative High School; Ostiguy High School for high school students in recovery; Weatherization; Foster Grandparents; Elder Services; Intergenerational Programs; Food Pantries in several Boston neighborhoods; management of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign (COBECC) and City of Boston Employees Charitable Campaign (COBECC); advocacy and consumer services.
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