Now is the Time for a Medicare Rx Check-up for 2009

The Medicare annual Open Enrollment Period for prescription drug plans runs from November 15 through December 31, 2008.  Medicare beneficiaries will be able to begin making enrollment changes in their health and prescription drug coverage for 2009 if necessary during this time.

In addition, for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans only, beneficiaries can make one change in enrollment—enrolling in a new plan, changing plans or canceling a plan—between January 1 and March 31, 2009.

Now is the time for beneficiaries to prepare and compare their health and prescription drug coverage options and choose the plan that best meets their needs. Beneficiaries should take time to compare their current plan with the new plan options available in 2009. If they are satisfied with their current plan and the current plan does not intend to significantly change coverage benefits, they do not need to do anything in order to maintain that coverage. 

Beneficiaries are encouraged to review their prescriptions and other health needs when assessing the plan options described in the Medicare & You handbook or on www.medicare.gov. Beneficiaries who feel they need assistance when reviewing the plan options should gather any Medicare or Social Security mailings they received and contact their local senior center, KIPDA or a 1-800-Medicare representative.

People comfortable with navigating the Internet should take advantage of the enhanced online Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder options available on www.medicare.gov. This feature offers information on available drug plans, including out-of-pocket costs and pharmacy networks. The enhanced online Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder and Medicare Options Compare tools enable beneficiaries to compare drug plan options for prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans in their area. 

The 2009 Medicare & You handbook, mailed to beneficiaries in October, includes tips on selecting a plan and an overview of plan options. Beneficiaries already enrolled in a Part D plan will also receive an Annual Notice of Change describing any changes in the benefits of their current drug plan. 

Another focus for this year’s open enrollment period involves signing up beneficiaries eligible for extra help, known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), to pay for their drugs. This benefit is not only about providing affordable prescription drug coverage; it’s also about promoting better health. For millions of beneficiaries, prescription drug coverage is a critical component in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Income and resource limits apply.  If you or a loved one feels they may be eligible for the LIS, please contact KIPDA or the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

This is an important time for beneficiaries to review their current coverage and make a decision that will give them peace of mind for the rest of the year. We encourage everyone to make a decision by early December, to ensure a smoother transition into the Part D benefit.