Community members with questions about Medicare, Medicaid, or Marketplace coverage can receive free, unbiased assistance from Community Health & Wellness Partners, even if they are not CHWP patients.

CHWP’s Eligibility & Enrollment Specialists are Certified Application Counselors. They help individuals and families understand their options, compare plans, and complete enrollment. Free interpreter services are also available.

The service is available to people preparing for retirement, self-employed individuals seeking family coverage, those who have recently lost insurance, and anyone who needs help understanding health coverage.

Understanding Coverage and Costs

Certified Application Counselors can compare plans, estimate costs, and explain insurance terms based on each person’s healthcare needs. Their role is to provide clear information so individuals can make informed coverage decisions.

For Medicare beneficiaries, counselors can explain traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, review prescription coverage, and discuss how Medicare works with retirement benefits such as OPERS, STRS or SERS. For individuals and families considering Marketplace coverage, counselors can estimate subsidies and tax credits that may reduce monthly costs.

The goal is to help each person find coverage that fits their health needs, budget, and circumstances.

Annual Reviews Can Reveal Changes

CHWP recommends reviewing coverage each year, even when the current plan appears to be working well. Premiums, deductibles, prescription costs, participating providers, and pharmacies may change, making a different plan a better fit for the coming year.

Counselors can explain the open enrollment period that applies to each individual and identify important deadlines for making changes.

Enrollment Periods and Life Changes

Coverage options may also become available outside annual enrollment following certain life events, including marriage, divorce, the loss of a spouse, the birth or adoption of a child, a move, or the loss of other insurance. Because eligibility rules and deadlines vary, CHWP encourages residents to seek help as soon as questions arise.

Medicare’s annual fall open enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026.

A separate Medicare Advantage open enrollment period runs from January 1 through March 31, 2027. This period is for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan who want to make certain changes.

“Please don’t wait to ask,” said Darcy Ramsey, CHWP Eligibility and Enrollment Coordinator. “Some opportunities to change coverage are only available for a limited time.”

Appointments Available at CHWP Locations

Free appointments are available Monday through Friday during regular clinic hours at any CHWP location. Most Medicare or Marketplace consultations last 60 to 90 minutes, allowing time to review options and answer questions.

Participants should bring the following items to their appointment:

• A list of your medicines.

• The names of your doctors and places you get care.

• A photo ID.

• Your health insurance cards.

• Your Medicare card, if you have one.

• Login details for any Medicare, Social Security, or HealthCare.gov accounts you use.

Individuals who need a particular location or have difficulty attending during regular appointment times should mention those needs when scheduling. CHWP staff will work to reduce barriers to receiving assistance.

To schedule a free consultation, call 937-599-1411, extension 278. Assistance is open to the entire community, and participants do not need to be CHWP patients.