What is CHOICES? 

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 strives to provide outreach and education to all individuals in need of assistance, with particular attention to reaching individuals with disabilities, individuals who have low incomes, individuals who live in rural areas, and individuals whose primary language is not English.

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
• Outreach presentations (both in-person and online)
• Media outreach and educational content on Medicare and related 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

The Windham Senior Center & Human Services has two certifed CHOICES counselors, please contact them for more information. 

Liz Myers, Assistant director, 860.450.2100 Ext. 3308

Elsie De Jesus, Coordinator of Client Services, 860.450.2100 Ext. 3309

Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part C and D, starts mid October 2022!