This manual is designed to assist those helping professionals responsible for developing consumer education programs for older adults on the topic of health care and health care costs. Using a modular presentation format, the materials focus on the following areas of concern: (1) self-evaluation and planning for health care needs; (2) methods for dealing with health care problems; (3) ways for dealing with health care costs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance; and (4) strategies for getting the most from money spent on medical assistance. Workshop guidelines, a program checklist, learning objectives, a facilitator's guide, and references are also provided. (HLM)