Michigan State University Extension and AARP Michigan will team up to offer “Health Insurance Choices” – a presentation to help healthcare consumers make the best insurance decisions – in 10 Michigan cities during September and October.
The sessions will enable participants to analyze their health insurance needs, learn insurance industry terms and concepts, calculate how health insurance will affect their family budgets, compare sample health insurance plans and apply the information to make smart choices.
The Health Insurance Choices tour schedule includes stops in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Mt. Pleasant, Detroit, Novi, Kalamazoo, Escanaba, Marquette, Monroe and Ann Arbor.
“We aren’t trying to push consumers to select any one specific plan,” said MSU Extension educator Brenda Long. “We hope to teach people skills they can use so they can decide the plan that best fits the needs for themselves, their families or their employees.
”Finding your way in this new health insurance landscape can be extremely difficult, whether you’ve been insured your whole life or are faced with finding coverage for the first time,” Long added. “Our workshops are like a map and a compass. They empower people by eliminating the intimidation factor.”
Andrew Farmer, AARP Michigan Associate State Director for Health and Supportive Services, said MSU Extension Health presenters will answer questions and explain how the health insurance process works. Volunteers from AARP Michigan will provide information about the Affordable Care Act at many of these sessions.
“Participants will learn about Affordable Care Act facts and updates,” said Farmer, who has traveled the state for three years talking with people about the ACA. “There are still many questions out there.”
Sessions are free and open to the public, but space is limited. Register on line at https://events.anr.msu.ed/SmartChoiceAARPfall14/ See additional registration information below.
Here’s the tour schedule:
Lansing: Monday, Sept. 22 from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 6 from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Ingham County Extension Office, 5303 S. Cedar St. Contact Janice for registration and more information at 616-527-5357 or jransom@ioniacounty.org
Grand Rapids: Thursday, Sept. 11 from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 9 from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Kent County Extension Office, 775 Ball Ave. NE. Contact Jennifer for registration and more information at 616-336-3212 or ortquisj@anr.msu.edu
Mt. Pleasant: Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Isabella County Extension, 200 N. Main St., Room 320. Contact Nonie to register or get more information at 989-317-4079 or grossn@anr.msu.edu
Detroit: Monday, Sept. 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the MSU Center, 3408 Woodward Ave. Register or ask questions by contacting Vivian at 313-494-4672 or washi138@anr.msu.edu
Novi: Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 7-8:30 p.m. at MSU Extension Tollgate Conference Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Rd. For registration or more information, call 248-858-0897 or email pottsc@oakgov.com
Kalamazoo: Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Kalamazoo MSU Extension Office, Nazareth Complex-Georgian Room, 3299 Gull Rd. For registration or more information contact Karen at 269-383-8834 or carvell@anr.msu.edu
Escanaba: Thursday, Oct. 23 from 3-5 p.m. at Escanaba MSU Extension Office, 2840 College Avenue. For registration or more information contact Julie at 906-786-3032 or moberg@anr.msu.edu
Marquette: Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. For registration or more information contact Beth at 906-774-0363 or waitrovi@anr.msu.edu
Monroe: Monday, Oct. 6 from 3-5 p.m. at Monroe County MSU Extension Office, 963 S. Raisinville Rd. Contact Terry at 734-240-3179 or clarkjon@anr.msu.edu to register or for more information.
Ann Arbor: Thursday, Oct. 9 from 3-5 p.m. at Washtenaw County MSU Extension Office, 705 N. Zeeb Rd. To register or to get more information contact Terry at 734-222-3943 or clarkjon@anr.msu.edu
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