If you are a senior or know a senior in need of assistance with accessing Medicaid programs, you can call CHOICES at 1-800-994-9422 to speak with a counselor in your area.
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 provides the following services, in-person, by phone, by email, and through other accessible means, depending on the needs and preferences of the consumer:
- 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)
- Enrollment assistance and plan comparisons for Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plans
- Eligibility Screening and application assistance with cost-assistance programs including Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program, the Low-Income Subsidy/Extra Help Program
- Information on Medicare Preventive Benefits
- Information and referral for other state benefit programs, as well as other Long Term Services and Supports throughout the aging and disability services network
- Provider and caregiver education
Click here to learn more here. |
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988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Offers 24/7 Support |
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Those who are experiencing a mental health crisis no longer need to remember 1-800-273-8255 or wait hours for help. They can now call or text the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, to connect with mental health professionals who are trained to respond to these emergencies.
The three-digit number replaces the 10-digit 800 number to the Lifeline. Individuals can call, chat, or text 988 to reach free and confidential emotional support around the clock, seven days a week.
The Lifeline consists of a national network of more than 200 local crisis centers to get people the help they need, when they need it. Last year, one in five calls to a suicide crisis hotline resulted in a dropped call while others waited hours for assistance.
The three-digit Lifeline is a step forward in transforming America's mental health response and suicide prevention. You can learn more about the Lifeline here.
For further crisis intervention resources available here in Connecticut, click here.
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