CHOICES (Connecticut’s program for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening)
What is CHOICES?
CHOICES is Connecticut’s State Health Insurance assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP agencies empower, educate, and assist Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through objective outreach, counseling, and training to make informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to care and benefits. CHOICES is a partnership between the state's 5 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. It is administered by the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
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:
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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)
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Enrollment assistance and plan comparisons for Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plans
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Eligibility Screening and application assistance with cost-assistance programs including Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program, the Low-Income Subsidy/Extra Help Program
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Information on Medicare Preventive Benefits
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Outreach presentations (both in-person and online)
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Media outreach and educational content on Medicare and related benefits
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Information and referral for other state benefit programs, as well as other Long Term Services and Supports throughout the aging and disability services network
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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
General information
Upcoming Events
2024 CHOICES New Team Member Trainings
2024 Medicare Open Enrollment Events
Medicare Resources
2025 CHOICES Original Medicare Cost-Sharing Handout
Part B Excess Charges in Connecticut
Open Enrollment/Part D Resources
Cost Assistance Program Resources
CHOICES MIPPA Brochure Revised 2022-2023
Please call CHOICES at
Medicare Savings Program Income Limits
How the Medicare Savings Program can help you obtain Medicare benefits - 2024
Benefits Quick Guide
Medicare Supplement (“MediGap”) Resources:
CHOICES MediGap Rate and Benefit Chart - ENGLISH
CHOICES MediGap Rate and Benefit Chart - SPANISH
CHOICES MediGap Rate and Benefit Chart - FRENCH
Conditional Enrollments and Buy-in Resources for CHOICES Counselors
Beneficiary Resource - Conditional Enrollment and Buy-in Guide 2024
Buy-in Process Flow Chart 3.21
Access Health CT Plans and Medicare
Husky D and Medicare
Decision Tree: Turning 65 while on HUSKY D (Accessible Format)
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.