CHOICES

Free Medicare Counseling & Benefits Help (Connecticut).

Clear, unbiased Medicare guidance—so your family chooses coverage with confidence.

Mother and daughter compare Medicare plans side by side with a CHOICES counselor, catching savings programs and avoiding coverage gaps.

What CHOICES Offers.

CHOICES Medicare counseling in CT provides free, unbiased help comparing plans, screening benefits, and understanding.

Free plan guidance

Compare Parts A–D, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage with trained counselors—no sales.

Benefits screening

Learn if Extra Help, MSP, or other savings programs can lower your costs.

Enrollment help

Get answers on initial, open, and special enrollment periods and what to do next.

Easy Next Steps

Get help with enrollment, special enrollment questions, and fraud prevention education.

UniversaCare coordinator helps a Connecticut couple prepare questions for ADS and align their ongoing home-care plan with statewide resources.

Why it matters.

One trusted source, free and unbiased.
Side-by-side plan comparisons.
Flags savings programs you might miss.
Prevents penalties and coverage gaps.

Couple opens Medicare mail while checking a calendar of turning 65, moving, and Open Enrollment, deciding it’s time to call CHOICES.

When to Reach Out.

Turning 65 or newly eligible for Medicare.
Comparing plans during Fall Open Enrollment.
After a life change (move, new diagnosis, new meds).
Prescription or premium costs spike.

UniversaCare coordinator helps a family organize meds, doctors, and questions before a CHOICES session to match coverage with their home-care plan.

How UniversaCare Helps Families with CHOICES.

Organize meds and provider lists.
Prep smart questions for counselors.
Coordinate referrals and follow-ups.
Align full-time care with chosen coverage.

Trusted In-Home Care Since 2008.

At UniversaCare, we pair CHOICES guidance with practical care planning, so the coverage you select truly supports.

UniversaCare’s CHOICES Guidance Support Process.

We turn information into action quickly, clearly, and with family input.

Step 1 ➔

Needs Review

We gather meds, providers, and priorities to clarify goals for counseling.

Step 2 ➔

Options Alignment

After your CHOICES session, we map what the plan covers to real-world needs.

Step 3 ➔

Warm Handoff

If needed, we reconnect you with CHOICES for MSP/LIS or plan follow-ups.

Step 4 ➔

Ongoing Guidance

We monitor changes and update your plan notes before renewals.

Medicare Visit Prep Sheet

A tidy checklist of what to bring and ask during CHOICES.

Drug List Template

Record meds/doses to speed plan comparisons.

Tools and Resources for Families.

Quick aids to get organized and make the most of counseling.

Talk to Us

Plan Comparison Grid

Capture premiums, copays, pharmacy networks, and star ratings.

Counseling Site Finder

Mrs. DeLuca reviews a simple drug list and cost chart with a coordinator and live-in aide after a CHOICES call, relieved her meds and budget are under control.

Mrs. DeLuca of New Haven felt overwhelmed by new prescriptions and rising costs.

UniversaCare helped by:

We built a clean drug list and listed her preferred pharmacy/physician network.
We scheduled a CHOICES call; counselors screened her for MSP and Extra Help/LIS and outlined next steps.
We aligned a live-in aide schedule with her appointments and the plan she chose.

Result: predictable monthly costs, a plan she understands, and calm, consistent support at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CHOICES really free?

Yes. Connecticut’s SHIP provides counseling and Medicare education at no cost; any plan premiums/cost-shares still apply based on what you select.

Who can use CHOICES?

Medicare-eligible people in CT—and their families/caregivers—can receive unbiased counseling, education, and referrals statewide.

How do I contact CHOICES?

Call 1-800-994-9422 to reach counselors through your local Area Agency on Aging. During Open Enrollment, leave a message for a call-back.

Can CHOICES help me change plans?

Often, yes—especially during Open Enrollment or after qualifying changes. Counselors compare options and explain timing and steps to switch.

Who runs CHOICES?

It’s a partnership of Aging & Disability Services, Connecticut’s five Area Agencies on Aging, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy; supported in part by the Administration for Community Living.

Trusted In-Home Care Across NY & CT Since 2008.

Home Care Services in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester

Professional home healthcare throughout New York with local expertise and regulatory compliance.

Personal care services including home health aide (HHA), certified nursing assistant (CNA)
Staffing services for community partners, facilities
Companion services and more
Nursing services including infusion and skilled nursing

Learn more

Home Care Services in North, Central, Southern CT

Trusted home healthcare solutions serving Connecticut with personalized, community-focused care.

Personal care services, home health aide (HHA)
Physical therapy and occupational therapy
Hospice and palliative care and more
Nursing services
Companion and respite care