• Call CHOICES at 1-800-994-9422 to speak with a counselor in your area

  

• Provides information to persons age 60 and older and persons with disabilities.
• Is a cooperative program of the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, the Area Agencies on Aging, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy.
• Is comprised of both Staff and Volunteers.
• Is also known as the CT SHIP or State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
• Is funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Administration on Aging through the Older Americans Act.
• Produces the following guides: 

-Original Medicare and Supplemental Options
-Medicare and Managed Care (HMO) Choices
-Prescription Drug Assistance
-Guides related to Medicare Rx

 

Please follow this link for the CHOICES Publications.

• CHOICES provides information and assistance about Medicare and other related health insurance options including:

Original Medicare	Medicare Rx
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)	Medicaid
Medicare Managed Care (HMO) Insurance	Long Term Care Insurance

• CHOICES is a “one-stop shopping” information source for services available to older adults.  Referrals to appropriate agencies is another offering which enables individuals to access needed services.  Area Agencies on Aging provide direction to local service providers who can specifically address any one of the following  problems or concerns that older persons and their families may be encountering:

 

Adult Day Care	Financial Assistance	Home Care
Respite Care	Legal Assistance	Nursing Homes
Housing Options	Elder Abuse	Transportation
	Nutrition

• Area Agency on Aging staff provide information and preliminary screening for more than 20 federal and state benefit programs.  Actual eligibility determinations for benefits and programs can only be made through a formal application process with the appropriate federal, state, or local agency managing program.  Programs include:

Supplemental Security Income	ConnPACE
Medicare Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB	Energy Assistance
Connecticut Home Care Program	Medicaid

• Please follow this link for the CHOICES Outreach and Event Calendar.

• Please follow this link for the DSS Rx-Xpress Bus Overview, Pictures, and Request Form.

• Please follow this link to the Map of CT to find the Area Agency on Aging serving your town.

Many people are unaware of the contributions they can make to help seniors better understand their Medicare options.  By volunteering with CHOICES, you can become an integral member of the growing effort to educate senior consumers about Medicare, health care fraud and consumer rights, as well has empower them to recognize suspected fraud, protect themselves from it, and report it.

What will you get out of it?  You will be educated regularly on issues pertaining to Medicare and health care fraud and scams.  You will have continued support from CHOICES staff and other volunteers.  YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a CHOICES Volunteer please call 1-800-994-9422.

• Please follow this link for the CHOICES Volunteer Training Library.

• Please follow this link for the CHOICES Photo Gallery.