Over one million dollars.

That is how much Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s Medicare Counseling Program saved older Mainers in 2025. Money that stayed where it belongs: with people who needed it most.

Powered by a team of 32 dedicated Medicare volunteers, SMAA delivered trusted, unbiased guidance during one of the most complex and high-stakes decision-making periods of the year. As Medicare Open Enrollment comes to a close, the impact of that work is clear.

Through one-on-one counseling in 2025, volunteers served 1,662 Medicare beneficiaries, helping older adults understand their options, uncover cost savings, and access benefits they did not even know were available. An additional 530 beneficiaries gained clarity and confidence through SMAA’s Medicare seminars and fraud prevention presentations.

For many older adults, Medicare Open Enrollment can feel overwhelming. Plans change, costs rise, and the language is confusing. The fear of making the wrong choice, or missing out on financial assistance, can turn an already complex process into a source of real stress.

“So many people aren’t aware of the financial assistance programs available to them,” says Michaela, a SMAA Medicare volunteer. “Helping someone access those benefits can truly change their life. It can mean better healthcare, more stability, and less stress.”

Behind every counseling session and seminar was a strong system of support. SMAA’s Medicare volunteers were guided throughout Open Enrollment by SMAA staff Chloe Gray and Renee Kocev, whose coordination, training, and steady presence ensured volunteers had the tools, up-to-date information, and backup they needed to serve clients with confidence and care.

For clients, the impact is immediate and deeply felt.

“Many thanks again for your time and your expertise,” shared Mary E. Hobgood, a Portland resident. “I was concerned about the red tape and having to make choices in the dark. All that is gone. My backpack is considerably lighter now. The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is a gift to our community and to this older Mainer in particular.”

This year, SMAA’s Medicare team also expanded outreach into culturally diverse communities, supported 42 speakers of other languages, and created new access points for support, including successful open-enrollment walk-in hours. These efforts ensured that help was not just available, but reachable when it mattered most.

By the end of the year, the impact was undeniable. SMAA’s Medicare Counseling Program helped older adults save $1,048,400. That money now goes toward prescriptions, groceries, housing, and daily essentials instead of unnecessary healthcare costs.

During one of the most important decision-making periods of the year, SMAA’s Medicare volunteers did more than explain plans or compare costs. They helped people feel informed, supported, and confident about choices that affect their health, finances, and daily lives.

The impact of SMAA’s Medicare Counseling Program is made possible by community support and dedicated volunteers. Discover how you can get involved, support this work, or access services for yourself or a loved one by visiting www.smaaa.org.