The Medicare program covers health care costs for seniors and non-elderly adults with long-term disabilities and is expected to expand with continuous growth. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7, 2024, with enrollments during this period becoming effective on January 1, 2025. This period allows consumers to enroll in or disenroll from a Medicare plan. Medicare Support Centers provide essential services to assist Medicare consumers with the enrollment process. These centers offer no-cost, one-on-one Medicare education, guidance, and year-round support. Licensed, plan-agnostic insurance agents are available in-store and by phone to help with eligibility questions, timing of choices, financial costs, and penalties for late enrollment. To prepare for a visit to a Medicare Support Center, individuals should make a list of their doctors and prescriptions and bring their Medicare ID card if they are already enrolled. The centers are open for in-person visits from October 1 to December 7, 2024, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM. Phone appointments are also available upon request. Participating locations in Phoenix include Cave Creek, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Laveen, Mesa (two locations), Peoria, Phoenix (four locations), Scottsdale, Surprise, and Tempe. Additionally, Senior Day Celebration events will be held on November 2, 2024, in Surprise, AZ, and November 4, 2024, in Mesa, AZ, from 10 AM to 2 PM. These events will offer personalized education and support, expanded MinuteClinic services such as diabetic screenings and sleep apnea testing, and the opportunity to ask medication-related questions to pharmacists. Attendees can also visit Medicare Support Centers during these events. After the AEP, Medicare Support Centers will remain open one day per week starting December 8, 2024, to meet the ongoing needs of Medicare consumers. The centers will return to a four-day-per-week schedule for the next AEP. For more information, visit Medicare Support Center. Please note that the Medicare Support Center is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. It is an educational and enrollment program owned and operated by Carefree Insurance Services, Inc., a licensed insurance agency.