Westchester libraries to host 'Demystifying Medicare' workshops

Gary Stern, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Those confounded and perplexed by Medicare should consider the Westchester Library System's "Demystifying Medicare" workshops that will run from Sept. 30 through Nov. 17 at libraries around the county.

The free, three-hour workshops are designed to walk seniors, those approaching 65, and loved ones through the Medicare maze.

The workshops will be led by Julie Woodward, a retired teacher and volunteer who has led 260 workshops over the last decade.

"No doubt about it, this subject is complicated," Woodward says in a recorded presentation she prepared during the pandemic. "Although this is somewhat of a slog, the good news is that once you know what's out there, you can make changes to what you have each year. You might have to. Over time, your own health may require a different insurance situation. The law and the plans change frequently enough and the costs are always, always an issue."

Woodward acknowledges that the subject can be "turgid," but says she tries to make the workshops upbeat and understandable.

"I usually tell people don't take notes," she says. "Let this stuff roll over you. You'll be able to remember the important things and you'll be able to look up the missing bits later on."

Julie Woodward, who offers "Demystifying Medicare" workshops for the Westchester Library System
Julie Woodward, who offers "Demystifying Medicare" workshops for the Westchester Library System

Where can you attend a Demystifying Medicare workshop in Westchester?

Here is a schedule of this year's workshops:

  • Monday, Sept. 30, 5 p.m., Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road

  • Saturday, Oct. 5, 10:15 a.m., Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road

  • Saturday, Oct. 19, 10:15 a.m., Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem

  • Sunday, Oct. 20, 1:15 a.m., Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Drive

  • Monday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m., Harrison Public Library, 2 Bruce Ave.

  • Wednesday, Oct. 23, 5:30 p.m., Gerard J. Byrne Center, 11 Olympic Lane, Ardsley

  • Saturday, Oct. 26, 10:15 a.m., Rye Free Reading Room, 1061 Boston Post Road.

  • Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m., Will Library, 1500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers

  • Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Mount Pleasant Public Library, 350 Bedford Road

  • Saturday, Nov. 2, 10:15 a.m., Briarcliff Manor Public Library, One Library Road

  • Sunday, Nov. 3, 1:15 p.m., White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave.

  • Monday, Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m., Pelham Public Library, 530 Colonial Ave.

  • Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m., John C. Hart Memorial Library, 1130 E. Main St., Shrub Oak

  • Sunday, Nov. 17, 1:15 p.m., Hendrick Hudson Free Library, 185 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose

Medicare counseling available in Westchester

In addition, individual, walk-in counseling sessions led by volunteers are available on an ongoing basis at select libraries. Volunteers work in partnership with the Westchester Library System and Westchester County's Department of Senior Programs and Services and are certified by the state's Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program.

Here's the schedule for Medicare counseling, available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

  • John C. Hart Memorial Library, 1130 E. Main St., Shrub Oak: Every second and fourth Tuesday of each month, plus Oct. 15, 29; Nov. 19; Dec. 3

  • Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers: The first Thursday of each month, plus Oct. 17, 24; Nov. 14, 21

  • Hendrick Hudson Free Library, 185 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose: Oct, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 18, 25; Dec. 2

  • Greenburgh Public Library, 300 Tarrytown Road, Elmsford: Oct, 16, 23; Nov. 6, 20; Dec. 4

Westchester Library System also operates a Medicare helpline: 914-813-6100.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 'Demystifying Medicare' workshops coming to Westchester NY libraries

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