Senior PharmAssist is the coordinating site in Durham County for the North Carolina Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Senior PharmAssist staff works closely with the state SHIIP office (1-855-408-1212) to provide any age/income Medicare beneficiary in Durham with the information she or he needs to make informed judgments about Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, Medicare A & B, employer-sponsored retiree coverage and supplemental insurance. While Senior PharmAssist provides Medicare insurance counseling year-round to those who are new to Medicare or who have questions, most beneficiaries can only change their coverage during the annual open enrollment period (OEP), Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. All Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to examine their options each year, as policies and prices change – not to mention that the medication needs of an individual can change from year to year. The Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counsels Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and long-term care insurance. The counselors on our toll-free line offer free and unbiased information regarding Medicare health care products. We also help people recognize and prevent Medicare billing errors and possible fraud and abuse through the NC Senior Medicare Patrol Program. SHIIP counselors are not licensed insurance agents, and they do not sell or endorse any product, plan, or company. If you have questions about your specific plan, we encourage you to contact your insurance agent or the insurance company.