Beginning November 15th, seniors have the ability to make changes to their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Medicare recipients have until Dec. 31 to switch to the plan that will best meet their needs for 2011.
“It’s important that seniors re-evaluate their plan, especially if their prescription needs have changed in the past year,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “Even if seniors’ prescription needs are not changing, they should check their plan to make sure that the reimbursement costs for prescriptions are still the most competitive, or even covered at all.”
The open enrollment period for Medicare Part D provides seniors the chance to consider changes to their plan and whether another plan might better help them cover the costs of their prescriptions. If they do not switch their plans before Dec. 31, they will be automatically enrolled in the same plan for the next year.
In addition to lowering prescription drug costs, choosing the right Medicare Part D plan can help protect against higher costs in the future. These plans are available through private companies under contract with Medicare through the Medicare Part D program.
Next year brings additional good news for Medicare Part D participants. As a result of the health reform law passed this year, seniors will begin receiving 50% discounts on brand-name drugs and 7% discounts on generic drugs. As long as you are enrolled in a Part D plan, you don’t need to do anything to get these benefits.
“Expanded benefits from the passage of the health reform law kicks in for seniors in January 2011,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Seniors will see significant savings in their prescription drugs next year and many new preventive care services such as an annual wellness care visit, bone density screenings, mammograms, and colonoscopies will be available without a co-pay.”
Florida residents can contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE), at (800) 963-5337 or (850) 414-2060 or visit www.floridashine.org for more information.
To learn more about the different plans available, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov
