What the HEALTH is Medicare?

This course includes two sessions, each designed to teach what you need to know about Medicare. Howard utilizes the official Medicare National Training Center power point on Medicare, but teaches it in a manner that is understandable and is often very funny! Howard points out what Medicare forgets to point out. The first class, Navigating the Medicare Maze, addresses the full scope of Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. This includes when and how to enroll; what it covers; what it does not cover; how Medicare coordinates with other health plans; the world of Medicare Advantage; how to avoid costly lifetime late enrollment penalties; and how to file a Medicare appeal. The second class, The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), explains how to review a Medicare Part D drug plan or a Part C comprehensive plan for the upcoming year. The AEP is from October 15 to December 7 each year, with any choices effective January 1. This class illustrates how to create an online Medicare account and how to use that account to review and choose the best plan for your needs next year.

HOWARD HOUGHTON has taught Medicare classes for over 25 years, mostly as a staff member of the Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging. After retiring at the end of December 2013, Howard relocated 'back home' to Harrisonburg in 2015. He volunteered as a health insurance counselor for the next 8 years at VPAS providing individual health plan counseling as well as community outreach. Howard has taught Medicare classes at both the George Mason University and the JMU LLI programs for many years.

Please contact our office regarding availability of this course:

540-568-4253
pce@jmu.edu