ATLANTA – This month, 1.5 million beneficiaries in Georgia will review health and drug plans during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, which began Oct. 15.

GeorgiaCares provides individual counseling, education and outreach to Medicare beneficiaries around the state through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). This program helps beneficiaries identify and understand Medicare health and drug plans, including Medicare Supplement Insurance, prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage Plans, long-term care insurance and other health insurance coverage options.

GeorgiaCares-trained counselors offer free help to those on Medicare who are 65 years or older, and to qualified people under 65 with disabilities, so that they do not have to pay someone to help them understand their benefits.

GeorgiaCares also administers the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), which teaches Medicare beneficiaries how to protect their personal identities. GeorgiaCares SMP counselors help resolve complex billing interactions to report potential errors, fraud and abuse.

For more information, visit www.mygeorgiacares.org or to sign up for the GeorgiaCares monthly newsletter.