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Office for Aging reports surge in Medicare help requests; county approves annual OFA contracts
Summary
The county’s Office for Aging told the committee it handled more than 550 Medicare annual‑enrollment requests and served roughly 450 people so far; the committee approved the office’s annual contracting resolution and staff flagged capacity constraints during peak enrollment.
Brenda Wyman, director of the Office for Aging, told the Health & Human Services committee on Dec. 3 that the office has experienced a heavy surge in requests for Medicare annual‑enrollment assistance this season. Wyman said the office received more than 550 requests and has been able to serve about 450 so far; 42 callers required referral to state entities.
"This whole system is really overwhelming," Wyman said, describing sustained demand and noting the office has a virtual queue for up to 10 weeks during the enrollment period. She said staff are scheduling appointments through early December and that, if demand continues to outpace capacity, the office may request funding to add a half‑time or upgraded part‑time position to meet service levels going forward.
The committee approved HH8, the annual contracting resolution that consolidates multiple state and federal contracts and subcontractor agreements for OFA services. Wyman also updated members on a building fire repair that will cause staff to work remotely for the last two weeks of the month, and she highlighted community donations to the meal program (more than $100,000 in aggregate, mostly small donations).
Wyman described program innovations including a "GoGo Grandparent" ride program that has provided 62 rides since its start, helping older residents with mobility and appointments.
Next steps: OFA will continue scheduling and serving clients through the enrollment period, monitor demand and may return with a request for additional staffing if funding becomes available.
