Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment is November 15 - December 31

Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare health and prescription drug plans will continue to have a wide range of plan options in 2010, and those beneficiaries who decide to change plans should find choosing a new plan simpler than in previous years.

Help senior loved ones select a quality plan. The Medicare website offers tools to help compare supplemental ("Medigap") and prescription plans in your area. Download "Use Medicare's Information on Quality to Help You Compare" to learn more about things to look for. _____________________

The same percentage of Medicare beneficiaries who have access to a Medicare Advantage plan today (99.9 percent) will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan in 2010. In addition, all Medicare beneficiaries will have many prescription drug plans from which to choose.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug plans to review their current health and drug plan coverage for any changes their plans may be making for 2010, before the annual enrollment period begins on November 15.

In 2010, beneficiaries who are currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans can expect to see an average premium of about $39 a month, a $7 difference from 2009. Medicare Prescription Drug plan premiums will average $30, a $2 difference from 2009. Those who qualify for the full Medicare low-income subsidy will pay no premiums or deductibles in Medicare Prescription Drug plans.

Steps have been taken to reduce confusion, discrimination and deceptive practices

To protect beneficiaries from deceptive marketing practices, CMS has strengthened its oversight of plan marketing activities. This includes stronger rules governing the commissions that can be paid to independent sales agents, and new marketing guidelines around how Medicare Advantage plans identify themselves. In addition, CMS has plans to expand current surveillance efforts by conducting a greater variety of "secret shopping" activities. 

CMS also implemented a comprehensive review of plans that served less than 100 enrollees, had been in operation less than two years, and were not serving a special population. CMS also identified plans offered by the same sponsor with similar benefits—plans that made it hard for beneficiaries to distinguish differences between the plan offerings. CMS worked collaboratively with plan sponsors to reduce the number of these low enrollment and duplicative plans, while continuing to ensure beneficiaries had access to a range of plans.

CMS is also taking aggressive steps to address discriminatory benefit packages, those that would cost sicker enrollees more for the important health care services they need. In addition, beneficiaries will find more plans that will limit their out-of-pocket spending for the year to $3,400 or less for Medicare-covered health care services.

Look for your 2010 Medicare & You handbook

Beneficiaries should have received their 2010 Medicare & You handbook in mid-October, and can find updated information at www.medicare.gov and 1-800-Medicare. Users of the Medicare Plan Finder will be able to compare plans' quality summary rating from the previous year, identify which drugs may or may not be on a plan's formulary or may be restricted, and compare the cost ranges for plans available in their community.

In addition, Medicare has joined forces with thousands of organizations and individuals across the country, including local State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), to assist in beneficiary decision-making.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offers consumer information on their "Open Enrollment Center" website, including tools to help seniors choose the best drug coverage and Medicare Advantage plans.

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