Medicare Open Enrollment through Wednesday, December 7

It’s that time of the year again! Are you caring for an older loved one that has Medicare and Medicare D (prescription coverage) or a Medicare C (Advantage) plan?  If so, now is the time to review their current coverage and cost, and compare that to the cost of other Medicare plans available.

Plan changes can be made during Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, which began Saturday, October 15th and runs through Wednesday, December 7th.

 Not all Medicare prescription or health plans are created equal and the plan that worked for them this year may not work for them in the coming year.  Compare plans to see if there is money to be saved or better coverage to be acquired. By comparing Medicare D plans every year, for example, there are potentially hundreds of dollars of savings by changing plans. Staying on the same plan leads to an automatic renewal of your existing plan. You could be paying more for less coverage by not comparing plans.

You can compare the plan to others by using the Plan Finder tool at www.Medicare.gov .  The Medicare Plan Finder tool compares plans based on the drugs your loved one is currently taking, the pharmacy they go to, and the drug cost. You can also speak with and enroll in a new plan by calling a  Medicare representative at 800-MEDICARE.

You can also speak with the folks at SHIP, Kentucky’s State Health Insurance assistance Program. The SHIP representatives can provide information, counseling and assistance to seniors and their families/caregivers regarding health care insurance. This service is provided at no charge.  The program’s goal is to educate the general public and Medicare beneficiaries to make informed decisions about their health care. You can speak with a Bluegrass area SHIP representative by calling:

Hotline: (866)-516-3051

Toll-free: (800) 928-4556

Phone: (859) 233-4556

Or find a Kentucky SHIP representative by calling (877) 293-7447.