Assemblymember Juan Arambula will host a free workshop for seniors on

Monday, April 24, 2006 at the Senior Citizens Village located at 1917 S. Chestnut Avenue , Fresno CA. 93702.   Seniors may choose between two workshop sessions:

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  

Medicare experts and HICAP volunteers will make presentations and lead sessions.   A pharmacist will also be on hand to answer participant questions.  Guests should bring their Medicare cards, medications, drivers’ license or California ID, and the name and location of their local pharmacy.

According to the State Department of Aging, there are 4.1 million seniors in California receiving Medicare benefits who might be eligible for the new program.  Health Insurance Counseling Advocacy Program (HICAP) estimates that about 33 percent of eligible seniors have NOT signed up for an approved prescription drug plan.  Thus, up to 1.37 million Medicare beneficiaries in California may not have applied for the lower-cost coverage.

“The application process is difficult for many seniors who are not familiar with or comfortable using a computer,” said Arambula.  “That is why we have recruited volunteers who will help folks access information on line at the workshops”

The majority of seniors who are currently eligible to enroll in the program have until May 15 ^th to do so.  If they do not enroll on or before May 15^th, these seniors will not be able to enroll until the next open enrollment period which runs from November 15, 2006 through December 31, 2006 .  Eligible seniors who fail to enroll before the May 15^th deadline will be penalized with higher fees if they do elect to join the program.  Those seniors who become eligible to enroll in the plan after the May 15^th deadline, but before November 15^th are allowed to enroll without penalties.   

For immediate assistance, seniors and health advisors may contact the local HICAP office at 1-800-434-0222 or the Medicare Help Line at 1-800-633-4227.