Medicare Open Enrollment Period is October 15 – December 7, 2012. This is an opportunity to change your prescription drug coverage. Medicare offers one time a year when you can change prescription drug plans or enroll in a plan if you missed earlier deadlines. If you are already enrolled in a prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D), it is a good idea to examine your coverage to determine if it will continue to meet your needs next year. You can call the Senior Center to set up an appointment during this time to assist you with a drug plan comparison.
Medicare Check-Up Day will be held at the Senior Center on November 13. 2012. This free informational session will be held from 10-2. Starting at 10 a.m. there will be a presentation on Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans) and the changes in Medicare for 2013. There will be a lunch break from 12-1, where you are invited to eat lunch at the Senior Center for a cost of $1.50 for Fulton County Residents and $3.50 for out of county residents. If you are planning on eating lunch at the Senior Center, reservations must be made by calling 419-337-9299 by Thursday November Following lunch, the afternoon session will give Fulton County Seniors the opportunity to receive personalized drug plan comparisons. Those wanting comparisons are asked to bring their Medicare Card and a current list of all medications and dosages. Seniors requesting comparisons are assisted on a “first-come, first-served” basis on this day.
If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Witt at 419-337-9299 extension 714. The Fulton County Senior Center is located at 240 Clinton Street in Wauseon. Thank you in advance for your assistance with informing the seniors in Fulton County about these events.
MEDICARE CHECK-UP DAY 2012
A free service brought to you by the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) at the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Fulton Co. Senior Center
240 Clinton Street
Tuesday, Nov. 13; 10 a.m.
- Learn about recent changes to Medicare.
- Find out how the Oct 15 — Dec. 7 Medicare
- Annual Coordinated Election Period can work for you.
- Get tips on how to enroll for 2013 coverage in a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) and/ or a Medicare health plan.
- See if you qualify to SAVE an average of $3900 on your Prescription drug costs.
- Bring your list of prescription drugs to compare plans for 2013
Visit www.insurance.ohio.gov or call 1-800-686-1578 to learn more about this event and Medicare.
Medicare offers onetime a year when you can change prescription drug plans or enroll in a plan If you missed earlier deadlines. The annual election period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 each year.
If you are already enrolled in a prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D), it is a good idea to examine your coverage to determine if it will continue to meet your needs next year. Plans can change each year. Your premium could change, the drugs your plan covers may change, the pharmacies your plan works with may change, and the plan may put certain limitations on the drugs it covers.
Know your three C’s:
Coverage – Will your plan cover your medications next year? Will the plan have a coverage gap next year?
Cost – What will the plan’s monthly premium be next year? Will the plan have a deductible next year? What will your co-payments or coinsurance be once you satisfy the deductible?
Convenience – Will your local or current pharmacy be in the plan’s network?
Coverage and timing:
If you enroll in a plan or switch to a different plan during the annual election period, your new coverage begins Jan. 1 of next year.
If you do switch to another Medicare prescription drug plan, don’t cancel your existing plan. When the new plan takes effect on Jan. 1, your previous plan will automatically end.
Watch your mailbox!
If you’re already in a Medicare prescription drug plan, the plan must send you a notice explaining how your plan will change next year. If you have prescription coverage through a former employer or union, that organization must notify you by October 15 if your prescription benefit is as good or better than the Medicare benefit, and for if It Is going to change in any way next year.
If you receive help with the costs of your Medicare prescription drug coverage, you may get a letter on colored paper explaining how that help may change.
Don’t throwaway mail without reading it first. If you don’t understand something you receive about Medicare or Medicare prescription drug plans, contact OSHIIP — the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program. We’ll help.
Questions? Call OSHIIP: 1-800-686-1578