If you have questions about signing up for the Medicare prescription drug benefit, including how to choose the prescription drug plan that is best for you and whether or not you may qualify for extra help in meeting the monthly premium and cost-sharing requirements, you can receive individualized counseling from a variety of sources. You should have as much of the following information on hand as possible when seeking individualized counseling:

• Your Medicare Claim Number
• The month and year in which you first became eligible for Medicare Part A or B coverage (this information is printed on your Medicare Card)
• Your Zip Code
• A list of the types of prescription drug coverage you currently have, if any. (i.e. coverage through Medicaid or a state prescription assistance program, coverage from a former employer or union retiree health plan, Medigap coverage, or coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan)
• Have you received a letter informing you that you are eligible for or have been approved for Extra Help from the Social Security Administration in paying for your prescription drug benefit costs?
• A list of all of the medications you currently take, along with dosages and prices for a monthly or annual supply of each drug.

You can obtain information and counseling in-person at community outreach events throughout Illinois. Click here (http://www.makemedicarework.org) for a schedule of events, listed by location and by date.

You can also obtain information and counseling over the telephone from any of these sources:

• The Illinois Seniors Health Insurance Program:
  (http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/Ship/ship_help.asp)
  (http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/Ship/ship_volunteers.asp)
  1-800-548-9034
• Medicare: (http://www.medicare.gov)
  1-800-MEDICARE
• Illinois Area Agencies on Aging: (link: http://www.cbrx.il.gov/aging/2aaa/aaa-main.htm)
  
  • Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
    (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, JoDaviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties)
    1-800-542-8402
  • Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
    (DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties)
    1-800-528-2000
  • Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging
    (Bureau, Henderson, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, McDonough, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, and Warren Counties)
    1-800-322-1051
  • Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
    (Fulton, Marshall, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties)
    1-877-777-2422
  • East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
    (Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, McLean, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby, and Vermilion Counties)
    1-800-888-4456
  • West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
    (Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler Counties)
    1-800-252-9027
  • Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland
    (Cass, Christian, Greene, Jersey, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, and Scott Counties)
    1-800-252-2918
  • Area Agency on Aging of Southwestern Illinois
    (Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington Counties)
    1-800-326-3221
  • Midland Area Agency on Aging
    (Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Jefferson, and Marion Counties)
    1-877-532-1853
  • Southeastern Area Agency on Aging
    (Crawford, Edwards, Hamilton, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties)
    1-800-635-8544
  • Egyptian Area Agency on Aging
    (Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, and Williamson Counties)
    1-888-895-3306
  • Chicago Department on Aging
    (City of Chicago)
    1-312-744-4016
  • Suburban Area Agency on Aging
    (Suburban Cook County)
    1-800-699-9043

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