Information and Open Enrollment Coming

Seniors enrolled in Medicare should receive Medicare information in the mail regarding their benefits in October.  They should receive a letter and information telling them what they are covered for, what supplements they are enrolled in (if any) and any changes to their premiums and/or their coverage.

It is important to take the time to carefully read this information and make certain that you understand it.  It will tell you what your 2009 premiums will be and will tell you what is covered, including prescriptions.

Prescription coverage will be very important to check over carefully.  You could currently be covered for all of your medications, but there could be changes in coverage that might cover every medication except for one.  This does not always happen, but it could.

In the event that one of your prescription medications is not covered it is important that you check with your doctor and see if there is an alternative or substitute prescription that would work in its place.  Then you will have to check to see if the alternative or substitute medication is covered.  If you can’t find a suitable alternative medication, you may have to check for a different supplement that will cover the medications you need. 

Other things to consider are how much the premiums will increase, if any.  Check to see if your co-pays will increase, as well.  The more you know about your coverage, the better decisions you and your doctor will be able to make regarding your ongoing treatment.

The fact that this information is being sent to you in October gives you time to get the facts you need about your coverage before the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D, which is from November 15th through December 31st.  That is the time during which you can switch plans if you need to, without any penalties for pre-existing conditions or other issues.

If you receive Medicare, be on the watch for your letter describing your current coverage in October.  If you don’t receive it, call 1-800-MEDICARE.  You can call the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) at 1-800-443-9354 or check with them on the web at www.ncshiip.com.  They are an organization that specifically helps seniors with insurance and Medicare questions and issues.

Filed under: General-Medicare

Tags: General-Medicare, medicare coverage, medicare information, medicare premiums, medicare supplements, open enrollment