Don't Miss the Medicare Open Enrollment Period
Dear Friends,
As we approach the final weeks of 2012, many seniors across the Fourth District have to start planning for their Medicare coverage for 2013. Medicare’s open enrollment period is now underway and will extend until December 7. Medicare beneficiaries have until then to compare plans and make choices about their coverage, which will begin on January 1.
If you, a parent, or a loved one is a Medicare beneficiary, Medicare.gov is an excellent resource during this period. On that website, seniors can see what coverage they have today, compare their current plan to other options, and enroll in a new plan for 2013. The Medicare.gov site also has a tool that can help in comparing options for both Part D drug coverage plans and Medicare Advantage plans, based on where a person lives.
Of course, if you are happy with your current coverage, you don’t have to do a thing, and your coverage will remain the same next year.
As you consider your future health care needs, please keep in mind recent improvements that have been made to the Medicare system to ensure that our seniors are provided with quality, affordable care.
As you may know, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act expanded Medicare preventive services, providing new services and access to many others for free. In addition to beneficiaries being eligible for yearly wellness visits, preventive care covers a variety of other services including: cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, cardiovascular screening, nutrition therapy, tobacco use counseling, glaucoma tests, HIV screenings, flu and other shots, and bone mass measurements. Other services may also be covered.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that Medicare Advantage enrollment is expected to increase by 11 percent in 2013 and that premiums will remain steady. Meanwhile, because of reforms instituted by the Affordable Care Act, the Part D donut hole closes further in 2013, and more Connecticut seniors will see savings on their prescription drug costs. This year, seniors saw a 50-percent savings on prescription drugs in the donut hole. In 2013, they will save an additional 2.5 percent on name-brand drugs and an additional 7 percent on generic prescriptions, as we move closer to closing the donut hole entirely by 2020.
Since the law was enacted, Connecticut seniors have saved more than $62 million because of this reform, according to the Department of Health and Human Resources – a number that will only rise as the donut hole continues to close. In 2012, more than 11,000 seniors in our state saved money because of this benefit.
If you have any questions about what plan to choose, what your plan covers, or how to change your plan, please visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information. In addition, my office is always available to assist you with your interactions with the federal government. If you need assistance from my office with this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to call: (866) 453-0028.
Sincerely,
Jim
211 State Street, 2nd Floor
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: (866) 453-0028
Fax: (203) 333-6655
Hours: M - F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm