Rep. McNerney Highlights Medicare Open Enrollment Period
Oct 16, 2014
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Washington, DC - Rep. Jerry McNerney today announced the start of the Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7. Rep. McNerney encourages residents of the ninth congressional district with Medicare to review their current health and prescription drug coverage options for 2015.
Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries
People with Medicare, their families, and caregivers can review and compare current plan coverage with new plan offerings, using many proven resources, including:
Visiting www.medicare.gov to see plan coverage and costs available in their area, and enroll in a new plan if they decide to make a change. Open Enrollment information is available in Spanish.
Calling
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Multilingua counseling is available.
Reviewing
the 2015 Medicare & You handbook. It is accessible online at:www.medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf-- and it has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare.
Getting one-on-one counseling assistance
from the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Local SHIP contact information can be found:
On the back of the 2015 Medicare & You handbook or;
By calling Medicare (contact information above)
Extra Help Paying for Prescription Drugs
People with Medicare who have limited income and resources may qualify for Extra Help paying for their prescription drug costs. There is no cost or obligation to apply for Extra Help, also called the low-income subsidy. Medicare beneficiaries, family members, or caregivers can apply online atwww.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778) to find out more.
During this Open Enrollment Period, Rep. McNerney reminds people with Medicare to never give their personal information to anyone arriving at their home uninvited or making unsolicited phone calls selling Medicare-related products or services. Beneficiaries who believe they are a victim of fraud or identity theft should contact 1-800-MEDICARE. More information is available atwww.stopmedicarefraud.gov