SMITH CENTER, Kan. – Smith County Memorial Hospital will host two Medicare education sessions for the public on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
In addition to the group sessions, community members may sign up for a one-on-one session to learn about the enrollment process or ask questions specific to their needs. Group and one-on-one sessions will take place in the hospital’s conference room.
The presentations will come from Eric Norris, director of Medicare and retiree services at insurance provider DPI Benefits. The insurance provider is used by hospital employees and as a benefit to the facility offers public education.
“Several times a year, representatives from DPI Benefits visit the hospital to talk with employees about insurance and retirement plans,” said Allen Van Driel, hospital CEO. “We feel Medicare is an important issue to the communities we serve and want to provide the public with information and an outlet for questions.”
Norris will not be selling plans or promoting a specific service. The goal of the sessions is to offer educational information and answer general questions.
The sessions will be at no cost to attendees.
“Medicare has become an increasingly difficult topic to understand,” Van Driel said. “We don’t want our patients finding out they’ve made a mistake when their bill comes. That’s too late.”
The educational sessions are timed during Medicare’s open enrollment period. The events will give attendees information on how to enroll, Medicare supplements, Part D and social security.
“Our hope is residents of Smith County and our wider patient area find benefit in this opportunity,” Van Driel said. “When we offer education, it should be an extension of patient care. What better way to show we care for our patients than to give them the best information when it comes to healthcare billing.”