Senior Citizens Can
Now Change Their Medicare Plans for 2011 Health and Drug
Open Enrollment
period began Nov. 15, Ends Dec. 31 for current and newly eligible
beneficiaries
Nov. 16, 2010
The Medicare shopping season is open the month-and-a-half every year
that starts on November 15 and runs to the end of the year - when those
on Medicare can change plans. Most activity in recent years, during this
period known as Open Enrollment, has focused on changing Part D drug
plans, since many of these seem to make significant changes in what
they offer and the price senior citizens have to pay. Then, too,
the Medicare Advantage Plans, which offer both health and drug coverage
in one package, have attracted many from the original Medicare.
Invest
time during enrollment period -- Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 -- to evaluate
options; make sure you're signed up for the plan that's best for you.By Michelle Andrews
- Nov. 11, 2010
During this Open
Enrollment period, current or newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries,
including people with original Medicare, can review current health and
prescription drug coverage; compare health and drug plan options
available in their area, and choose coverage that best meets their
needs.
For many, new
plans are necessary to better meet changes in their needs.
For example, a
senior citizen that has not been taking prescribed medicine most likely
was in a drug plan with a lower monthly fee and higher co-pays for
drugs. With a growing need for prescribed drugs looming in 2011, this
same senior may opt for a plan with a higher monthly fee be lower
co-pays.
The Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a news release encouraging all
Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the annual Open Enrollment
period to make sure they have the best coverage available to meet their
health care needs in 2011.
Theres never
been a better time for Medicare beneficiaries to check out their
Medicare coverage, says CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, M.D.
The new health
care law provides additional benefits to people with Medicare, including
lower prescription drug costs through a 50 percent discount on brand
name drugs in the coverage gap, also referred to as the donut hole,
wellness checkups, and no copayments for preventive care a benefit
that most Medicare Advantage plans also offer.
By shopping for
next years coverage now, people with Medicare may find even greater
savings or better coverage than they are getting this year.
CMS also is
promoting that seniors have better options in plans available for 2011.
With better
plan choices available for 2011, Medicare beneficiaries can think of
Open Enrollment as their yearly coverage check-up, Berwick said.
If theyve had
any changes in their health, Open Enrollment is the time to double-check
coverage options and make good choices that meet individual needs.
Resources for
Seniors and Their Caregivers
People with
Medicare, their families and other trusted representatives can review
and compare current plan coverage with new plan offerings, using many
proven resources, including:
● Visiting
www.medicare.gov, where they can get a personalized comparison of
costs and coverage of the plans available in their area. The popular
Medicare Plan Finder and Medicare Options Compare tools have been
enhanced for an efficient review of plan choices. Multilingual Open
Enrollment information and counseling is available.
● Calling
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find
out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
● Reviewing
the 2011 Medicare & You handbook. It is also accessible at www.medicare
gov and has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare benefits.
● Getting
one-on-one counseling assistance from the local State Health Insurance
Assistance Program (SHIP). Local SHIP contact information can be found:
Medicare
beneficiaries who cannot meet the costs of prescription drugs may be
eligible for additional resources. Based on eligibility for extra
help, some people Medicare will pay no more than $2.50 for each generic
drug and no more than $6.30 for each name brand drug. The program,
called Medicare's Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition (NET)
Program, can also help pay for premiums and other out-of-pocket costs.
There is no cost
to apply for this extra help. Medicare beneficiaries, family members,
trusted counselors or caregivers can apply online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp or call Social Security at
1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778) to find out more.
Protecting
Against Fraud and Identity Theft
The new health
care law also provides better tools to help fight waste, fraud and abuse
to help protect Medicare. CMS offers tips to help beneficiaries protect
themselves against fraud and identity theft during the Open Enrollment
period. Medicare recommends that people treat their Medicare number as
they do their social security number and credit card information.
●
Beneficiaries should not give personal information to anyone arriving to
their home uninvited or making unsolicited phone calls selling
Medicare-related products or services. Beneficiaries who believe they
are a victim of fraud or identity theft should contact 1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227; TTY, 1-877-486-2048). More information is available at
www.stopmedicarefraud.gov
More information
is available at
www.healthcare.gov, a new web portal from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
The Medicare
Open Enrollment Period opened on November 15 and runs through December
31, 2010.
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