Medicare: What you need to know, and the person to ask
People approaching the age of 65 should learn about their options for health coverage through Medicare, the government's insurance plan for seniors, says Myrna Koldin. For more than 10 years she has been the coordinator for the Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program in the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Long-Term Care Services. It is she who answers the phone when people call with questions: 315-435-2362, ext. 4944. In this interview, she explains the different parts of Medicare, some possible ways to save money, and why new Medicare cards are arriving in mailboxes. (Koldin also recommends two toll-free federal government phone numbers for further information: Medicare, 800-633-4227, and Social Security, 800-772-1213; also the nonprofit Medicare Rights Center, 800-333-4114.