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Medicare Prescription Drug Workshop, December 10, 2009
HICAP, the Medicare Counseling Program at PASSAGES wants to inform Medicare beneficiaries who are either new to Medicare or wish to change their Medicare prescription drug plan, also known as Part D, that they will have a one-time chance to do so during the open enrollment period of November 15 to December 31, 2008. Medicare recommends a re-evaluation and possible change each year.
Insurance plans have begun their marketing, and people with Medicare will once again be deluged with information about changes and new offers. Before making any decisions, Tatiana Fassieux, Program Manager for the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP), warns that people should do their “homework.” Signing up with the wrong plan, or not doing anything, may cost them thousands of dollars, and they may not be able to make further changes until November 2010.
There are other changes to Medicare that will affect medical supplies, diabetic supplies, changes to Medicare medical supplement plans, non-renewals of some prescription and supplemental plans. There will also be the usual yearly modifications to Medicare’s cost structure.
In our five county area there are many members of Medicare prescription drug benefit that are eligible to receive extra financial help paying for the premiums and co-payments, that are not yet enrolled. Many of these individuals are also eligible for help paying their monthly Part B premium ($96.40 monthly for 2009). This extra financial help for limited-income Medicare beneficiaries will also be discussed at these workshops.
Workshops are planned to help seniors and adults with disabilities that have Medicare, learn more about the Part D plans and other Medicare changes for 2010. These HICAP forums will provide information and instructions on how to navigate through the advertising and information for the new Part D plans and other upcoming changes.
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