Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois Department of Insurance announce free, one-on-one counseling services in Shelbyville to help educate Medicare-eligible individuals and their caregivers about available insurance options.  The Department’s Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is conducting  a series of counseling sessions statewide to assist Medicare-eligible individuals with the Medicare open enrollment season, which runs earlier than past years from October 15th through December 7th.

 Governor Quinn recently proclaimed the week of October 10-15 as SHIP Week to recognize the program’s hundreds of volunteers and remind Medicare-eligible residents that open enrollment begins sooner this year.

Pre-registration for appointments is required by calling Community Care Systems at (217) 774-7885. SHIP volunteers are also available year-round to answer Medicare questions. For a list of SHIP volunteers in your area please visit the SHIP website at http://insurance.Illinois.gov/SHIP or call  SHIP toll-free at (800) 548-9034.

Counseling sessions in Shelbyville are scheduled as follows:

 Saturday, October 15 through December 7

 Community Care Systems

 1604 W. Main, Suite 100

 Shelbyville, IL 62565