CHOICES (Connecticut’s program for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening)

 

 

Free and unbiased services are provided to Medicare-eligible individuals, families, and caregivers of all ages and income levels. CHOICES strives to provide outreach and education to all individuals in need of assistance, with particular attention to reaching individuals with disabilities, individuals who have low incomes, individuals who live in rural areas, and individuals whose primary language is not English.

CHOICES provides the following services, in-person, by phone, by email, and through other accessible means, depending on the needs and preferences of the consumer:

• Free, unbiased, one-on-one benefits counseling on all parts of Medicare, including Original Medicare (Parts A and B) Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement, and Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

• Enrollment assistance and plan comparisons for Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plans

• Eligibility Screening and application assistance with cost-assistance programs including Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program, the Low-Income Subsidy/Extra Help Program

• Information on Medicare Preventive Benefits

• Outreach presentations (both in-person and online)

• Media outreach and educational content on Medicare and related benefits

• Information and referral for other state benefit programs, as well as other Long Term Services and Supports throughout the aging and disability services network

• Provider and caregiver education
        

Who are CHOICES Team Members?

CHOICES recruits, trains, and retains a diverse and effective workforce of staff, in-kind professionals, and volunteers who provide counseling, outreach and assistance at accessible locations throughout the state.  Each year, our five Area Agency on Aging (AAA) CHOICES Regional Coordinators and staff from the Center for Medicare Advocacy offer CHOICES New Team Member training for each AAA region.  CHOICES Regional Coordinators also provide Team Members with update trainings and ongoing support throughout the year.

CHOICES Team Members are trained to consistently and confidentially provide accurate, objective, and comprehensive information and assistance.  CHOICES provides Medicare-eligible individuals with eligibility screenings, application assistance, plan comparisons and enrollment assistance into Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, as well as information and referrals to many local, state, and federals programs and services.

CHOICES Team Members promote awareness, knowledge, and visibility of the program throughout the state in a variety of ways.  CHOICES disseminates Medicare-related educational and informational materials, conducts Medicare Open Enrollment events, participates in local senior/health fairs and other special events, and provides presentations to small and large groups.

If you are interested in becoming a CHOICES Team Member, call 1-800-994-9422 and ask to speak to the CHOICES Regional Coordinator.

 
General information

CHOICES Brochure

 Upcoming Events

CHOICES New Team Member Training Flyer - Statewide Training Dates 2022

Medicare Resources

2022 CHOICES Original Medicare Cost-Sharing Handout

Part B Excess Charges in Connecticut

Open Enrollment/Part D Resources

2022 CHOICES Enrollment Guide

2022 CHOICES Part D Coverage Gap Chart

Cost Assistance Program Resources

CHOICES MIPPA Brochure Revised 2021-2022

Please call CHOICES at 1-800-994-9422 for information and assistance enrolling in programs that can help save you money on your healthcare costs, such as the Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help, and/or Medicaid/Husky.

The current monthly gross income limits (effective until March 1, 2022) are:

$ 2,641 single

$ 3,572 couple

Medicare Savings Program Info

How the Medicare Savings Program can help you obtain Medicare benefits - 2021 

Medicare Supplement (“MediGap”) Resources:

CHOICES MediGap Rate and Benefit Chart - 1.20.2022- ENGLISH

CHOICES MediGap Rate and Benefit Chart - 1.20.2022 – SPANISH

CHOICES MediGap Rate and Benefit Chart - 1.20.2022 -- FRENCH

SHIP TA Center – COVID-19 Toolkit

Benefits Quick Guides for CHOICES Counselors

Benefits Quick Guide 3.10.22

Benefits Quick Guide without color 3.10.22

Benefits Quick Guide and Supplement - Accessible Version 3.10.22

Conditional Enrollments and Buy-in Resources for CHOICES Counselors

Conditional Enrollment and Buy-in Guide

Buy-in Process Flow Chart 3.21 

Access Health CT Plans and Medicare

Transitions to Medicare from Access Health Brochure 1.21

Decision Tree Turning 65 While on Access Health CT 3.21

Decision Tree Turning 65 While on Access Health CT Accessible Format 3.21

Husky D and Medicare

Decision Tree turning 65 on Husky D rev 3.21

Medicare Due to Disability and Removed from Husky D accessible format 3.21

^{This project was supported, in part by grant number 90SAPG0068, 2003CTMIAA and 2003CTMISH from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.}