Berks Encore APPRISE staff and volunteers offer educational sessions on the following Medicare topics. These sessions are offered throughout the year, please check the Berks Encore calendar on this web-site for the class schedule or call 610-374-3195 x208.

Getting Ready For Medicare

  • What is Medicare?
  • Supplemental Medicare Coverage: Medigap vs Medicare Health Plans
  • Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
  • Medicare Costs
  • Enrolling in Medicare
  • Coordinating Benefits
  • Where you can get more information

Fine-Tuning Your Medicare

  • What is Medicare?
  • Supplemental Medicare Coverage: Medigap vs Medicare Health Plans
  • Checking Cost, Coverage and Convenience
  • Six Ways to Save
  • How to Prevent Fraud
  • Affordable Care Act: Key Changes

How to Use Medicare.gov

  • Using the Drug Plan Finder
  • Comparing Plans
  • Comparing Quality
  • When Can You Switch Plans
  • What Else You Need to Know

Questions?

Please call (610) 374-3195, x 208 with further questions about any of these sessions. Additional information about Berks Encore's Medicare services can be found on the Medicare Counseling page on this Web site.

All sessions taught by APPRISE staff and volunteers from Berks Encore. APPRISE is a free, public program of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. We are here to give balanced advice. We do not sell or endorse any one insurance plan over another.

Berks Encore's APPRISE Program

Through the APPRISE Program, Berks Encore's staff, along with its specially trained volunteers, work tirelessly to assist people in accessing a myriad of government benefit programs as well as answering questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, Medicare Advantage plans, long-term insurance, and the prescription drug benefit.

APPRISE Counselors:

  • Review Medicare benefits by explaining which services are covered under Parts A and B and the client's Medicare Summary Notice.
  • Explain the Medicare appeals process and assist with appeals paperwork.
  • Assist with selecting a Medigap insurance policy.
  • Explain financial assistance programs that may be available to assist in paying Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance as well as prescription drug needs.
  • Explain the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
  • Make presentations on Medicare to local organizations.