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EAST TEXAS MEDICARE & SENIOR RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Trusted Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries, Seniors & Caregivers
Medicare Knowledge has assembled this directory to help East Texas seniors, Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers and families find reliable sources of information and assistance.
The organizations below provide assistance with Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, prescription assistance, senior services, transportation, nutrition, veterans benefits, long-term care and other services.
Important: Medicare Knowledge does not endorse or guarantee any organization listed in this directory. Contact the organization directly to confirm eligibility, services, hours and availability.
MEDICARE & BENEFITS RESOURCES
Medicare.gov
What they do:
The official federal Medicare website. Medicare beneficiaries can use Medicare.gov to learn about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D, compare plans, check coverage, find providers, review claims and learn about Medicare rights and protections.
Phone: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
TTY: 1-877-486-2048
Website: Medicare.gov
Best for:
Medicare questions, coverage information, plan information, claims, appeals and official Medicare information.
Texas Health & Human Services — Medicare
What they do:
Texas HHS provides information about Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and other programs that may help Medicare beneficiaries with healthcare costs.
Phone: 800-252-9240
Website: Texas Health & Human Services
Best for:
Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, Extra Help and locating local benefits assistance.
Texas Department of Insurance — Medicare Assistance
What they do:
Provides consumer information about Medicare Supplement insurance, Medicare Part D, insurance complaints, long-term care insurance and other insurance issues.
Consumer Help Line: 800-252-3439
Website: Texas Department of Insurance
Best for:
Insurance questions and complaints involving regulated insurance products.
EAST TEXAS AREA AGENCIES ON AGING
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas
Location:
3800 Stone Road
Kilgore, TX 75662
Phone: 800-442-8845
Main: 903-218-6500
Tyler Office:
100 E. Ferguson Street
Tyler, TX 75702
Services include:
- Medicare benefits counseling
- Care coordination
- Caregiver support
- Senior nutrition
- Transportation
- Health and wellness programs
- Information and referrals
- Long-term-care ombudsman services
- Senior centers
- Community resource assistance
Counties served:
Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.
Best for:
Seniors age 60+, Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers in the 14-county East Texas region.
East Texas Aging & Disability Resource Center
Location:
501 Pine Tree Road, Suite U16
Longview, TX 75604
Phone: 855-937-2372
Local: 903-295-6658
Services include:
- Information and referrals
- Aging services
- Disability resources
- Long-term-care information
- Caregiver resources
- Benefits assistance
- Community services
Counties served:
Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.
Best for:
Finding local services when you don't know where to start.
Deep East Texas Area Agency on Aging
Location:
1405 Kurth Drive
Lufkin, TX 75904
Phone: 409-384-7614
Toll-Free: 800-256-6848
Services include:
- Medicare benefits counseling
- Medicaid assistance
- Social Security information
- Supplemental insurance information
- Care coordination
- Caregiver support
- Senior nutrition
- Transportation
- Long-term-care ombudsman
- Senior centers
- Health education
Counties served:
Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler.
Best for:
Seniors and Medicare beneficiaries throughout Deep East Texas.
8. Deep East Texas Aging & Disability Resource Center
Location:
210 Premier Drive
Jasper, TX 75951
Phone: 409-381-5255
Toll-Free: 855-937-2372
Services include:
- Long-term-care information
- Aging services
- Disability services
- Benefits assistance
- Caregiver information
- Community resource referrals
Counties served:
Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler.
SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE ENROLLMENT
Social Security Administration
National Phone: 800-772-1213
TTY: 800-325-0778
Social Security handles Medicare enrollment for many individuals and can help with questions concerning Social Security benefits and Medicare enrollment.
Best for:
- Signing up for Medicare
- Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment
- Social Security benefits
- Extra Help applications
- Social Security records
- Medicare-related Social Security issues
Social Security Administration — Tyler
Address:
5509 S. Donnybrook Avenue
Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: 800-772-1213
Best for:
Residents of Tyler and surrounding communities needing in-person Social Security assistance.
Social Security Administration — Longview
Address:
611 Clinic Drive
Longview, TX 75605
Phone: 800-772-1213
Best for:
Residents of Longview and surrounding East Texas communities.
Social Security Administration — Lufkin
Address:
702 E. Denman Avenue
Lufkin, TX 75901
Phone: 800-772-1213
Best for:
Residents of Lufkin and surrounding Deep East Texas communities.
Social Security Administration — Palestine
Address:
215 Medical Drive
Palestine, TX 75801
Phone: 800-772-1213
Best for:
Residents of Anderson County and surrounding communities.
Social Security Administration — Marshall
Address:
1509 Sedberry Street
Marshall, TX 75670
Phone: 800-772-1213
Best for:
Residents of Marshall and surrounding Harrison County communities.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION & REFERRALS
2-1-1 Texas
Phone: Dial 2-1-1
Alternate: 877-541-7905
What they do:
Connects Texans with local resources for food, housing, healthcare, transportation, senior services, utility assistance and many other needs.
Best for:
When you aren't sure who can help.
Texas Aging & Disability Resource Centers
Toll-Free: 855-937-2372
ADRCs help older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers locate long-term services and community resources.
Best for:
Finding local aging and disability resources.
SENIOR NUTRITION & MEALS
Meals on Wheels East Texas
Phone: 903-593-7385
Provides senior nutrition services in several East Texas counties through the Area Agency on Aging network.
Services include:
- Home-delivered meals
- Senior nutrition
- Wellness checks
- Social connection
Best for:
Homebound seniors and eligible older adults.
Tri-County Meals on Wheels
Phone: 903-729-0612
Counties served:
Anderson, Cherokee and Rusk.
Services:
Senior nutrition and home-delivered meals.
Angelina County Senior Center
Address:
2801 Valley Avenue
Lufkin, TX 75901
Phone: 936-634-4179
Services include:
- Senior meals
- Meals on Wheels
- Senior activities
- Social programs
Best for:
Older adults in Angelina County.
East Texas Senior Centers
The Area Agency on Aging maintains a network of senior nutrition sites throughout the region.
Examples include locations in:
- Tyler
- Palestine
- Marshall
- Henderson
- Jacksonville
- Emory
- Wills Point
- Yantis
- Jefferson
- Pittsburg
- Winona
Contact: 800-442-8845
TRANSPORTATION
GoBus / East Texas Senior Transportation
Phone: 800-590-3371
The East Texas Area Agency on Aging partners with GoBus to provide transportation assistance for qualifying seniors.
Services can include transportation to:
- Medical appointments
- Senior nutrition sites
- Other approved destinations
Best for:
Seniors who have difficulty accessing transportation.
VETERANS RESOURCES
VA North Texas Health Care System
Tyler Centennial VA Clinic
Address:
428 Centennial Parkway
Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: 903-266-5900
Services:
Primary care, specialty care, mental health, vision care, telehealth and other veterans' health services.
Best for:
Veterans who need VA healthcare or assistance navigating VA services.
VA Health Care — Lufkin
Address:
2206 N. John Redditt Drive
Lufkin, TX 75904
Services:
Veterans healthcare and enrollment assistance.
Best for:
Veterans in Deep East Texas.
Veterans Crisis Line
Phone: 988, then press 1
Text: 838255
Best for:
Veterans experiencing a mental health crisis or who need immediate support.
LONG-TERM CARE & NURSING HOME RESOURCES
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Phone: 800-252-9240
Long-term-care ombudsmen advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
They can help residents and families understand their rights and address concerns regarding care.
Best for:
Nursing home and assisted-living residents and their families.
Texas Health & Human Services — Long-Term Care
Phone: 800-252-9240
Services include information about:
- Medicaid long-term care
- Nursing facilities
- Long-term services and supports
- Aging services
- Caregiver resources
MEDICARE COST-SAVING PROGRAMS
Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs may help qualifying Medicare beneficiaries pay some Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.
Contact: Texas Health & Human Services
Phone: 800-252-9240
Best for:
Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources.
Extra Help for Prescription Drug Costs
Extra Help is a federal program that can help qualifying Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Contact:
Social Security Administration
800-772-1213
Also:
Medicare — 800-633-4227
MEDICARE FRAUD & CONSUMER PROTECTION
Medicare Fraud
Phone: 800-HHS-TIPS
Phone: 800-447-8477
Report suspected Medicare fraud, waste or abuse.
Best for:
Suspected fraudulent Medicare billing, suspicious services or other Medicare-related fraud.
Texas Department of Insurance
Consumer Help Line: 800-252-3439
TDI can help with questions and complaints involving regulated insurance products, including Medicare Supplement insurance.
Best for:
- Insurance complaints
- Medicare Supplement insurance
- Insurance agent or company concerns
- Consumer insurance information
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Texas Adult Protective Services
Phone: 800-252-5400
Report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation involving an elderly or disabled adult.
If someone is in immediate danger:
Call 911.
GENERAL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Texas Health & Human Services
Phone: 800-252-9240
Texas HHS provides information about:
- Medicaid
- Medicare assistance
- Aging services
- Disability services
- Long-term care
- Food assistance
- Health programs
- Community services
MEDICARE KNOWLEDGE
Medicare Knowledge
Website: www.medicareknowledge.org
Medicare Knowledge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people better understand Medicare and make informed decisions about their Medicare options.
Medicare Knowledge provides:
- Medicare Education
- Community Outreach
- Medicare Resources
Coffee & Questions
Medicare Knowledge also hosts Coffee & Questions events designed to give people an opportunity to ask Medicare questions in a relaxed community setting.
Visit the Medicare Knowledge website and select the Coffee & Questions tab to find upcoming events and locations.
Program Director:
Barry Collinsworth
972-814-8990
barry@medicareknowledge.org
Executive Director:
Terry Collinsworth
430-207-8483
terry@medicareknowledge.org
Website:
www.medicareknowledge.org
KNOWLEDGE TODAY. CONFIDENCE TOMORROW.
QUICK HELP GUIDE
"I need help enrolling in Medicare."
Contact:
Social Security: 800-772-1213
"I can't afford my Medicare costs."
Ask about:
Medicare Savings Programs
Extra Help
Texas HHS: 800-252-9240
"I need help finding services in my community."
Call:
2-1-1 Texas: 2-1-1
or
ADRC: 855-937-2372
"I need meals or transportation."
Contact:
Area Agency on Aging: 800-442-8845
"I'm having a problem with a nursing home."
Contact:
Long-Term Care Ombudsman / Area Agency on Aging: 800-252-9240
"I think someone is being abused or exploited."
Adult Protective Services: 800-252-5400
Emergency: 911
DISCLAIMER
The Medicare Knowledge East Texas Medicare & Senior Resource Directory is provided as a community information resource. Listing an organization does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation or guarantee by Medicare Knowledge. Programs, eligibility requirements, service areas, telephone numbers and hours of operation may change. Please contact each organization directly to confirm current information and eligibility.
Medicare Knowledge is not a government agency and is not affiliated with Medicare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Social Security Administration or Texas Health & Human Services.
