Medicare Signup Begins November 15th | News | Congressman Ed Whitfield

News | Congressman Ed Whitfield | United States Representative

Medicare Signup Begins November 15th WASHINGTON, November 1 - U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield on Wednesday issued the following statement on the Medicare signup period, which begins November 15th.

Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the details for the Medicare Part D prescription drug plans that will be available to seniors in 2007. The average monthly premium in 2007 will be $24 the same as the 2006 average.

The announcement that the average premium for seniors will remain stable at $24 next year shows once again that when competition is injected into Medicare, seniors win. Competition brings down prices and ensures seniors save money on their prescription drug costs.

The new drug program is filling more than three million prescriptions per day and helping beneficiaries gain access to the drugs they need at affordable prices. In the First District alone, 72 percent of Medicare beneficiaries currently have prescription drug coverage since the new prescription drug program was put in place.

CMS sent out the 2007 Medicare & You handbook during the first week in October, and residents in the First District should have started to receive them. This book explains new services and coverage offered through Medicare as well as details on prescription drug plans. The prescription drug coverage sign-up period starts on November 15th for coverage beginning on Jan 1, 2007.

For seniors who are happy with their current plan, there is no need to take any action. But for those seniors who wish to change plans or enter the program, the opportunity to enroll in a lower cost or more comprehensive plan begins on November 15th.

Seniors with questions about their Medicare coverage should call 1-800-MEDICARE, where dedicated experts are always standing by to help. Also, the Kentucky State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is able to answer questions about Medicare. The SHIP office can be reached at 1-877-293-7447."

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