Meet Our Client: Dolores Kessler
A helping hand during Medicare open enrollment.
Every year during Medicare open enrollment (October 15 – December 7), Benjamin Rose benefits counselor Cynthia Walker provides free assistance to older adults navigating the complicated process of selecting health care coverage that meets their needs.
“There’s a lot people don’t know about Medicare, especially those who are newly eligible. The first thing I do is educate them about what needs to take place,” says Ms. Walker.
For those already enrolled in Medicare, prescription medication costs are a common concern. Dolores Kessler experienced this when she noticed an increase in her monthly prescription coverage.
“I was paying $40 a month for blood pressure medication. I talked with family and friends who needed multiple medications and they were paying far less,” says Mrs. Kessler. “I was frustrated, confused and considering not having prescription coverage at all.”
Mrs. Kessler’s daughter, who works at Benjamin Rose, connected her with Ms. Walker. Most consultations take place by phone, although in-person meetings are an option.
To research prescription coverage options, Ms. Walker needs to verify a client has a Medicare card and obtain a list of current prescriptions. She then checks available plans and provides clients with at least three options so they can make an informed decision.
“Cynthia helped me find prescription medication coverage for just $4 a month. I asked her if I needed to cancel my existing coverage, and she said no, she’d take care of everything,” says Mrs. Kessler. “Open enrollment causes so much anxiety, and she helped alleviate that for me.”
Ms. Walker encourages older adults to have an annual Medicare benefits assessment rather than simply renewing the same coverage, stating “ Open enrollment is there to ensure your plan still works for you, but many people don’t want to deal with it. That’s why we’re here – to help you navigate the system.”
To learn more about benefit services or to schedule a Benjamin Rose benefits assessment, call 216-791-8000 or email [email protected].
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