Medicare Advantage seminars Oct. 7 & 17

ST. PETERSBURG – SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is holding an informational seminar on Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans at the St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 Ninth Avenue N, on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. The same FREE seminar will be at the South Community Library, 2300 Roy Hanna Drive South, on Tuesday, October 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Each seminar will provide attendees with more specifics about MA Plans including HMOs and PPOs. Attendees will learn what they are, how they work and when to join. The seminars are free and open to the public. Call the Main Library at (727) 893-7724, or South Community Library at (727) 893-7244, to reserve a seat.

If you are new to Medicare or have questions about your current Medicare programs, a SHINE counselor will also be available by appointment at the St Petersburg Main Library or the South Community Library for one-on-one counseling. The SHINE counselor can help answer your questions, assist with enrollment in Medicare Savings Programs, help resolve Medicare coverage issues and appeals, and can help you determine which Medical and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan best fits your needs. The service is free and open to the public:

During the Medicare open enrollment period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7), a SHINE counselor will be available at Main Library on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; call (727) 893-7724 to make an appointment.

And, a SHINE counselor will be available at South Community Library on the following dates: Oct. 19, Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 2, Nov. 7, Nov. 9, Nov. 14, Nov. 16, Nov. 21,Nov. 28, Nov. 30, and Dec. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the Medicare open enrollment period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7); call (727) 893-7244 to make an appointment.

You can also call the SHINE helpline for phone assistance at 1-800-963-5337.

The St. Petersburg Library System is pleased to offer this service in partnership with SHINE and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc., and as a part of its Community Development Initiative, a method to enhance the provision of resources, services, and programs focused on the Education, Economy, Ecology, Equity, Efficiency and Engagement of our community.

About Your St. Petersburg Library

St. Petersburg’s Library System provides library resources to meet the educational, recreational, cultural, intellectual and social needs of its diverse community. It operates seven community libraries, including the Main Library, North Community Library, South Community Library, West Community Library, Johnson Community Library, Mirror Lake Community Library and a micro-library at Childs Park. For more information, visit www.splibraries.org.