Robert Hayes on Complexity of Medicare
Hayes on Medicare as an Issue for All Ages
The Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging is helping sort out health care options as people get older.
The group is welcoming Robert Hayes of the New York-based Medicare Rights Center as the keynote speaker at their annual Senior Fair Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Hayes says Medicare is a good program. He says recent changes, like adding a prescription drug benefit, have made it better. But he says there is a downside. He says in adding so many choices from so many competing private providers, the system has become more complex and confusing for consumers.
However, he says those problems can be overcome if consumers educate themselves and use available resources to wade through the complexities. He says his organization is one advocate. In Kansas, people can also get assistance through the Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHICK) Program. It can be reached at 1-800-860-5260. SHICK volunteers can also be found through many agencies on aging.
The Flint Hills Senior Fair is from 8 am to 4 pm Tuesday at Salina's Bicentennial Center. Cost is $16.
M-F 5-8AM, Noon, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM & 10PM
