By JON WILSON, Consulting Editor, TB Reporter

Free counseling is available all through October.

ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Library System will present several sessions during October for the public to learn about Medicare Advantage Plans, one-on-one enrollment counseling, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans and more.

These sessions are free and open to the public. Here are dates, topics and locations:

If you are new to Medicare or have questions about your current Medicare programs, a SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) counselor will be available for one-on-one counseling at the Main Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. N, every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Call the library at (727) 893-7724 for more information or to make an appointment. And a SHINE counselor will be available at the South Community Library, 2300 Roy Hanna Drive S,every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call (727) 893-7244 for info or an appointment. 

In partnership with SHINE and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc., the St. Petersburg Main Library is host to an informative session on Medicare Advantage Plans on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. This session provides more specifics about Medicare Advantage Plans including HMOs and PPOs.

Also in partnership with SHINE and the Area Agency on Aging, the Main Library is will host to Medicare Part D on  Oct. 20 at 11 am.  This is an overview of Medicare Part D. Learn about eligibility and enrollment, how to compare and choose a drug plan, and financial assistance programs.

SHINE and the Area Agency on Aging are hosting another Medicare session at the South Community Library, 2300 Roy Hanna Drive S., on Wednesday, October 21 at 10:30 am. This session provides more specifics about Medicare Advantage Plans including HMOs and PPOs, along with an overview of Medicare Part D. Learn about how Advantage Plans work, when you can join, your rights and protections, Part D eligibility and enrollment, how to compare and choose a drug plan, and financial assistance programs.

For more information about the St. Pete libraries, visit www.splibraries.org.

St. Petersburg | Health Care | Medicare | TB Reporter