Health-Care Help

If you need help choosing a Medigap policy or understanding what is available among Medicare HMOs, traditional Medicare, Medigap and the new Medicare Plus Choice, several resources are available.

* The Eldercare Locater line at (800) 677-1116 can refer you to a local agency that assists seniors when making health-care decisions.

* United Seniors Health Cooperative puts out books aimed at explaining the different Medicare services and the choices seniors have when choosing Medigap policies. USHC’s “Managing Your Health Care Finances,” costs $19, including shipping and handling, and can be ordered by sending a check to United Seniors Health Cooperative, 409 Third St. S.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20024-3212 (Phone: [800] 637-2604).

* Weiss Ratings Inc. offers a personalized shopping service for $49 that promises to find the least expensive policies offered by viable Medigap insurers. Weiss can be reached at (800) 289-9222 or on the Internet at https://www.weissratings.com.