Retiree Bob Parent (far left) 856 Health & Welfare Coordinator Crystal Thompson & Kaiser Rep Debra Frank.

In an effort to assist its retirees navigate the complexities of Medicare, Teamsters 856 hosted a “Medicare 101” workshop at the Local’s Union Hall on September 15.

The course went over the basics of Medicare, including Parts A, B, C & D, what each option covers, associated costs, and how and when to enroll.

“They send you a big book in the mail — hardly anyone is going to read that,” said attendee Bob Parent who worked at both the Palace and St Francis hotels in San Francisco. “I really appreciate having this forum to ask questions about my coverage,” the 12-year retiree said.

Retired UPS member Faye Chikuma said the course was a good refresher for her. “It reiterated some of what I already knew and I also learned some new information, she said.

“It’s really great that Teamsters 856 put this on,” Chikuma continued. “It was very informative.”

“We were very pleased to be able to offer this course to our retirees,” said Teamsters 856 Health and Welfare Coordinator Crystal Thompson. “We hope that everyone who attended walked away with a good grasp on Medicare basics and feels more confident in choosing the right coverage options for their needs,” she said.