The Denver Regional Council of Governments’ State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) presented a Medicare 101 class explaining how and when to enroll, what Parts A through D cover, plan options and where residents of Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties can get free counseling.

The presentation, given by a SHIP counselor, defined Medicare as federal health insurance administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and noted beneficiaries receive a paper Medicare card listing their Medicare number and Part A and Part B effective dates. "This program is presented by the Denver Regional Council of Governments State Health Insurance Assistance Program or SHIP for short," the presenter said, noting the program is supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

The session walked listeners through eligibility and enrollment windows. Most people become eligible at 65; people on Social Security disability insurance generally qualify after two years, and people with end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify sooner. The counselor explained the seven-month initial enrollment period that includes the three months before the beneficiary's birthday month, the birthday month, and the three months after, and recommended enrolling three months before the birthday month to avoid coverage delays.

SHIP staff reviewed Parts A and B in detail. Part A covers inpatient hospital care, limited skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying hospital stay, some home health services and hospice. The presenter said Part A is premium-free for those with 40 quarters of payroll work history; otherwise premiums apply (the presentation cited $311/month for those with at least 30 quarters and $565/month for those with fewer than 30), and a Part A deductible was given for each benefit period. Part B covers outpatient medical services, doctor visits, outpatient hospital care and many preventive services; the presenter cited a Part B monthly premium of $202.90 and an annual deductible of $283, and noted that Part B typically pays about 80% of covered services after the deductible.

Prescription coverage (Part D) was explained as privately offered plans with varying formularies, deductibles and cost-sharing phases. The presenter summarized the three Part D coverage phases and said that after meeting an out-of-pocket threshold beneficiaries enter the catastrophic phase (the presentation cited $2,100 as an example). The session also noted a covered-insulin cost cap of $35 for a one-month supply under Medicare rules described in the briefing.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) was described as private plans that usually bundle Parts A, B and often D; the presenter explained differences between HMOs and PPOs and warned beneficiaries to check network status and covered benefits. Medigap (supplemental) plans were explained as private, lettered plans (A–N) available only to people with Original Medicare; the presenter emphasized that Medigap cannot be purchased if enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and described the Medigap guaranteed-issue window following Part B enrollment.

The counselor also defined common terms beneficiaries encounter — "assignment," the Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) when a provider believes Medicare may not pay, "medically necessary" as a physician determination, and "creditable coverage" for employer plans that can affect enrollment penalties — and outlined programs that help with costs, including the Low-Income Subsidy ("Extra Help") for Part D and state Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) that can assist with premiums and cost sharing. SHIP can help people determine eligibility and apply through Health First Colorado where appropriate.

Listeners were given practical enrollment timelines and reminders: the general enrollment period for Parts A and B runs Jan. 1–March 31 if someone misses their initial window (coverage begins the first of the month after enrollment and penalties may apply); the annual open enrollment for plan changes runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7; and Medicare Advantage enrollees may have a separate one-time Advantage enrollment change period. The presenter encouraged beneficiaries to check annual plan notices because plan benefits and formularies can change each year.

For local help, the presenter gave Colorado SHIP contact details: (303) 480-6835 and ship@drcog.org, with phone appointments available 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday. The presentation closed with information about SHIP counselor training and volunteer outreach opportunities.

The session provided a broad overview for people deciding between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage and directed listeners to SHIP for one-on-one plan comparisons and help with applications or appeals.