Medicare Urges Senior Citizens to Review Health
Plans as Window Opens to Make Changes
Annual period to make changes in Medicare coverage
opens Sunday, Nov. 15, runs through Dec. 31
Medicare & You 2010 books have
been mailed. Pdf copy available online
click.
Nov. 13, 2009 This Sunday November 15 is the
first day of Medicares annual Open Enrollment period, when all people
with Medicare can review and, if necessary, change their current health
care coverage.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
is encouraging senior citizens and other Medicare beneficiaries to take
advantage of this period, which ends at midnight on December 31, to make
sure they have the best coverage available to meet their healthcare
needs in 2010.
Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have a
wide range of health and drug plan options in 2010, including Original
Medicare, said Jonathan Blum, director of the Center for Medicare
Management and the acting director of the Center for Drug and Health
Plan Choice.
Open Enrollment is the time for those with
Medicare to double-check that they have the best coverage for their
individual needs. They may find that they like what they have, or may
find a coverage option that better fits their needs.
Beginning on November 15, beneficiaries can go to
www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to make changes
in their Medicare prescription drug and health coverage.
People in Original Medicare without prescription
drug coverage can enroll in a drug plan or health plan that offers drug
coverage during Open Enrollment.
It is important for people with Medicare to review
their coverage during Open Enrollment. Since coverage varies by plan,
CMS recommends that those with Medicare use Open Enrollment to think
about how their health may have changed, and what their needs will be
for the coming year.
Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries
Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment is from Nov. 15 -
Dec. 31
Each year drug and other plans change what they cost and what they
cover. The next general open enrollment starts on November 15, 2009.
During this time, people with Medicare can add, drop or change their
prescription drug coverage. They can also select a health plan for their
2010 coverage.
You'll find helpful Medicare tools and information
on this page. Use these resources to compare the cost or benefits of
Medicare health plans in your area.
Get answers to your Medicare
questions. Learn how to lower health care costs and stay healthy.
There are a number of easy ways that beneficiaries
can get information and assistance about what plan is best for their
needs. These include:
► Calling
Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY#: 1-877-486-2048) or
visiting www.medicare.gov to review plans to see how the costs and
coverage compares for different coverage options available in their
area. Medicare customer service representatives are available 24-hours
a day/7 days a week with multiple language options and resources for
people with disabilities.
► Reviewing
CMS Medicare and You handbook. The handbook was mailed to all Medicare
beneficiaries in October and provides a listing of available
prescription drug and health coverage plans in their areas. All people
with Medicare should also have received information from their current
health and prescriptions drug plans. This handbook is also conveniently
available online at www.medicare.gov
► Meeting
one-on-one with a trained Medicare specialist. To find a Medicare
specialist in their area, seniors should call 1-800-633-4227
(1-800-MEDICARE) or visit
www.medicare.gov.
► Medicare
beneficiaries who cannot meet the costs of prescription drugs may be
eligible for extra help. Medicare has a program in which those who are
eligible for extra help pay no more than $2.50 for each generic drug and
no more than $6.30 for each name brand drug. The program can also help
pay for premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. Call 1-800-772-1213 or
visit
www.socialsecurity.gov to find out more about getting extra help.
At
www.medicare.gov, beneficiaries and those assisting them can access
interactive tools that will help them learn more about all of the
prescription drug plans and health plans including Original Medicare
that serve their area. In addition to providing overviews of coverage
and premium costs, there is also information about the quality and
performance ratings of participating plans.
Protecting Against Fraud and Identity Theft
CMS also offers tips to help beneficiaries protect
themselves against fraud and identity theft during the Open Enrollment
period. Medicare recommends that people treat their Medicare number as
they do their social security number and credit card information.
Beneficiaries should not give personal information
to anyone who comes to their home uninvited or makes an unsolicited
phone call selling Medicare-related products or services. Beneficiaries
who believe they are a victim of fraud or identity theft should contact
1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)/ (TDY#:1-800-377-4950) to report the
incident. More information is available at www.stopmedicarefraud.gov
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