Established in 2006, around the time of the introduction of Medicare Part D, the Lapham Community Center started the Medicare Assistance Program, which runs once a year from October 15th- December 7th. The program strives to assist individuals in understanding and choosing prescription drug plans, and has saved New Canaanites millions of dollars throughout the past eighteen years. For 2023, the center marked one of its busiest years with 453 completed appointments, and saved residents $1,013,242.00 as of December Seventh.
“The program’s success lies in the dedication of its volunteers,” said Aggie Aspinwall, Director of Lapham. Aggie provided details on the program’s history, emphasizing the vital role played by volunteers like Bill Emmons and Richard Neville, who have been part of the initiative since its inception. Richard Neville logged an impressive 180 hours this year, and reflected on his experience with the program, “We were pleased to help over 400 Medicare members navigate their prescription plan choices for 2024 – with significant savings for those who chose a new plan and with comfort for those who did not change that they were on the right plan for next year,”. The other volunteers, Harvey Place, Sally Campbell, and Kim Campbell have donated over 350 hours of service this year alone; “In total these volunteers have donated over 5,000 hours of service throughout the past eighteen years,” Aggie added.
“Our Medicare Assistance Program, now in its 18th year, began with two counselors and has grown into a team trained by the CHOICES program through the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging,” Aggie explained. Volunteers are distinct from insurance agents, receive no commissions, and provide impartial guidance during the annual enrollment period. “Our volunteers tirelessly assist residents, extending their support to those who can’t leave their homes through remote appointments,” Aggie added. Operating the Medicare Assistance Program is a Lapham team effort as Stephanie Stiles, Lapham’s Program Specialist, called all of last year’s participants to remind them to schedule an appointment and Aggie, alongside, Program Manager, Kathy Collins help to organize and run the program.
Either through providing people with resources to research which plans would best serve them, or by uncovering areas of individual overspending, the Medicare Assistance Program helps hundreds of residents a year. The program’s impact is quantified through the substantial savings it has facilitated. Since 2011, the program has handled 5,637 appointments, saving residents a total of over $3.5 million. Aggie emphasized the importance and impact that this program has on people’s lives; “These savings are significant for individuals and reflect the financial relief and peace of mind our community members experience.”
As technology improves, information on programs such as Medicare may become more convoluted or more difficult to access. It is a great comfort to know that there is a place, a program, and a group of dedicated volunteers and staff passionate about providing assistance and information to those who need it. While this year’s program has just come to an end, Aggie and Kathy urge residents to think ahead for next October when the Medicare Assistance Program will start up again.
