Benefits Counseling

Get Ready for Medicare Open enrollment!

Medicare Open Enrollment is Oct 15th - Dec 7th

In September, look for your Annual Notice of Change from your Medicare plan and review it closely for 2027 changes. If you previously received Medicare assistance from us, look for our Medicare Open Enrollment form in the mail to complete and return, or check back here in October to complete the form and sign up for in-person workshops.

What do benefit specialists do?

Benefit specialists help older adults and people with disabilities understand, get, and keep public and private benefits, including health care, disability income, and programs that help save money. Benefit specialists are certified State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors.

A benefit specialist can help you with:

Health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, SeniorCare, and other programs that help cover health care costs.
Income, including Social Security Retirement and Disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and debt collection.
Housing resources and utilities, including shutoffs, evictions, tenant rights, and financial assistance programs.
Expenses, including FoodShare, internet, and phone bills.
See examples of the ways benefit specialists can help you

Which benefit specialist is right for you?

Elder Benefit Specialist - Help people ages 60 and older
Disability Benefit Specialist - Help people with a disability ages 17 and a half to 59

Elder Benefit Specialists

Elder benefit specialists help older adults (ages 60+) understand, get, and keep public and private benefits, including health care and programs that help save money. Benefit specialists don’t sell anything and aren’t paid by any companies. They help you identify and apply for programs and health care that will best meet your needs.

Call the ADRC at (262) 548-7848 or (866) 677-2371 if you would like to be referred to a Elder Benefit Specialist.

Part 1: Enrollment in Medicare
English (7 minutes), American Sign Language (ASL) (16 minutes), Spanish (8 minutes)
Chinese | Hmong | German | Italian | Lao | Polish | Russian
Part 2: Medicare Basics, Part A, Part B
English (11 minutes), ASL (20 minutes), Spanish (13 minutes)
Chinese | Hmong | German | Italian | Lao | Polish | Russian
Part 3: Your Coverage Choices, Original Medicare and Medigap
English (12 minutes), ASL (21 minutes), Spanish (12 minutes)
Chinese | Hmong | German | Italian | Lao | Polish | Russian
Part 4: Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C), Other Types of Coverage
English (8 minutes), ASL (15 minutes), Spanish (8 minutes)
Chinese | Hmong | German | Italian | Lao | Polish | Russian
Part 5: Medicare Part D; SeniorCare, Annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
English (11 minutes), ASL (23 minutes), Spanish (13 minutes)
Chinese | Hmong | German | Italian | Lao | Polish | Russian
Part 6: Limited Income Help; Protect Yourself & Prevent Fraud, Resources
English (7 minutes), ASL (15 minutes), Spanish (8 minutes)
Chinese | Hmong | German | Italian | Lao | Polish | Russian

How to Read Your Medicare Summary Notice (English) (12 minutes)

More Medicare Resources

What is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)?

Disability Benefit Specialists

Disability benefit specialists help adults with disabilities answer questions and assist with applications, related to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, and other public and private benefits.

You can get free and confidential help from a disability benefit specialist if you:

Are between the ages of 18 to 59
Are a youth transitioning from children’s services to adult services starting at age 17 years and 6 months
Have a disability
Live in Waukesha County

Get help with:

Income including Social Security benefits such as Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Health Insurance including Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs that help cover health care costs.
Housing and utilities including shutoffs and financial assistance programs.
Expenses including FoodShare, internet, and phone bills.
And more…

Work with a disability benefit specialist to:

Apply for Social Security disability benefits, including SSI.
Fill out forms for continuing disability reviews.
Appeal denials of disability benefits and overpayments.
Compare options for health insurance, benefit programs, or solutions to an issue.
Apply for programs that will save you money.
Advocate on your behalf with other parties.
Refer you to an attorney when necessary.

Call the ADRC at (262) 548-7848 or (866) 677-2371 if you would like to be referred to a Disability Benefit Specialist.

"Welcome to Medicare" classes

We host ‘Welcome to Medicare’ classes on the second Wednesday of each month. Topics covered will be the basic parts of Medicare (A, B, C, D) and how they work. Information will be provided on how to enroll, available insurance options, and the drug coverage requirement. Lower income benefit programs will also be reviewed. It is suggested that you attend one class 2-3 months prior to starting Medicare.

Registration is required to attend this workshop.

ADRC's 'Welcome to Medicare' class:
Every Second Wednesday of Every Month
1:00pm (in person, at Human Services Center building, 514 Riverview Ave, Waukesha)
5:30pm (virtual)

Register for Welcome to Medicare Class