Month: October 2024
Open Enrollment for Mass. Health Connector Begins November 1; NCH Social Services Offers Assistance
November 1, 2024 – The open enrollment period for the Massachusetts Health Connector, the state-based health insurance marketplace, begins November 1, 2024 and runs through January 23, 2025.
During open enrollment, individuals and families can change their current plan, and those who are uninsured can shop for and enroll in one of the plans offered through the Health Connector.
NCH’s Health Care Advocates are available for assistance with this process. Please call Diane at 508-825-8256 or Andrew at 508-825-8199 to schedule an appointment. To speak directly with the Massachusetts Health Connector, call 877-623-6765.
The Health Connector website, MAhealthconnector.org, is also available to review plans, shop and enroll.
Medicare Part D Open Enrollment
October 17, 2024 – The annual enrollment and change period for Medicare’s Part D prescription drug plans runs from October 17 through December 7, 2024. Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s Social Services Department offers phone consultations for assistance with the open enrollment period. Please call 508-825-8196, Monday through Friday, to schedule an appointment (limited appointments available).
Additional assistance is available from the SHINE Program, a State Health Insurance Program that provides free, one-on-one health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries of all ages. Phone appointments for Nantucket residents are available through SHINE by calling 508-375-6762. You can also email SHINE@capecod.gov.
The SHINE Program can assist with questions about the following:
- Medicare
- Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare HMOs, PPOs)
- Insurance Claim Forms
- Medicare Supplements (“Medigap”)
- Medicaid/MassHealth
- Prescription Advantage
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
- One Care Plans
- Health Insurance Options
- Prescription Drug Options
- Long-Term Care Insurance
Some of the services that SHINE counselors provide include:
- Reviewing your current coverage
- Reviewing your eligibility for financial assistance
- Providing health insurance plan comparisons
- Helping prepare health benefit claim forms and applications
SHINE counselors are volunteers trained and certified through the SHINE Program.