The Callaway County Public Library will hold Medicare open enrollment assistance Saturday.
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., trained counselors from CLAIM, a nonprofit health insurance assistance organization, will be in the library's Friends Room to help find their best options. Cindy Carr, the BEC coordinator and regional liaison for central Missouri from CLAIM, said this is the third year it has been in Callaway.
"I'm from Auxvasse, so I'm a Callawegian too, so I very much enjoy bringing this out there," Carr said.
Librarian Sherry McBride-Brown was the one who brought the collaboration with CLAIM to the library. She said the library is working on adult programs and insurance is something on the minds of many people.
"There's so much interest right now. People want to know what is available and what will be the best choice. We wanted to host something like that in Fulton,"McBride-Brown said.
McBride-Brown and Carr said the program has grown significantly over the years. Carr said the first year didn't have a huge turnout, but last year's doubled in size and there are already a number of people who've scheduled appointments for Friday.
Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome for the program. However, McBride-Brown said it's preferable to call ahead of time so they can get a headcount on participants.
"If you have an appointment it might go a little smoother but they won't turn anyone away," McBride-Brown said.
Carr said each case depends on what the needs of the person are. She said the only things participants will need are their Medicare card and prescription drug list to make sure they're on the best drug plan to make it cost them the least amount of money.
"Prescription drug companies change their plans every year or their prices might go up and this way we can make sure a person is still covered by this drug plan and to also keep their cost down," Carr said.
Carr said the program will remain open until everyone is signed up. To make an appointment, call 1-800-390-3330.