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Medicare Part D Enrollment Tips
Updated
30 November, 2008
Also see a step-by-step
process for
Where Do I Start with Part D? , and
Part D Guidelines
Medicare
beneficiaries who are just enrolling in Part D for
the first time, need to compare all the plans, to
determine which ones cover the correct medications,
and which provide them for the best price.
Medicare beneficiaries who are
enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan should
examine their coverage to ensure it continues to
meet their needs. Seniors and other Medicare
beneficiaries who are satisfied with their current
plan do not have to take any action during the
open-enrollment period (Nov. 15 - Dec. 31, 2008),
but those who wish to make a change must begin to
research the options now. You may find that you
could save a great deal of money, and more
completely cover the medications you need, by
changing plans. This is the time to begin to
consider that.
Know your three Cs. Consider
the following when making a decision:
Coverage
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Does the
plan cover your medicines?
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Does the plan
have a coverage gap?
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Do you need more
comprehensive coverage in 2009?
Cost
Does the plan have a deductible?
How does the plan handle
co-payments?
Convenience
Does the plan
have a mail-order option?
For help answering these questions
and finding the right plan, seniors and other
Medicare beneficiaries can turn to the SeniorArk.com
prescription drug plan finder, available at
prescription-drug-plan finder.
This is a totally free service we have developed for
our readers, to help then sift through the maze of
part D choices. Some plans cover certain medications
and dollar totals, and others do not. Seniors need
to pick the right plan, that covers the right
medicines, with the right coverage totals.
Estimate your annual drug
costs. Most
seniors will not spend enough on their medications
to reach the coverage gap. If a beneficiary’s total
drug spending in 2008 is less than $2,700 there
likely is no need to select a plan with gap
coverage. However, beneficiaries with higher drug
costs may want to consider one of several plans
available in each state in 2009 that will cover the
gap. Seniors may also need to find a plan that fills
the gap if they anticipate they will need more
medications in 2009.
Enroll early.
Open enrollment for coverage in 2008 continues
through December 31, but the Medicare agency is
urging seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries to
sign up by Monday, December 8, 2008, to ensure that
they get the prescriptions they need starting
January 1.
Don’t cancel your existing
plan. Seniors and others
intending to switch to a new Part D plan should not
cancel their existing plan.
Enrollment in a new plan
will automatically terminate a beneficiary’s current
coverage.
Apply for extra help.
Additional assistance is available to low-income
seniors who have trouble affording their
out-of-pocket costs. According to federal health
officials, over 3 million Medicare beneficiaries
nationwide were eligible for the low-income subsidy
this year but didn’t apply. For information, visit
your local Social Security office or call
1-800-772-1213.
You may also want to read:
2009 Part
D Premiums Rise,
Part D Fiasco - Congress Can Do Better, , Part
D Chart Form,
All about Part D and Medicare,
Survive a Fall into the Doughnut Hole
Our
main Medicare Page, linking to additional resources
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Committing
to the wrong Part D Plan for the next year could be a
costly and tragic error.
Are you sure you will have the best 2009 Part D
Plan for your area, at the best price, and one that best
meets your prescription needs? SeniorArk is making
available a tool that will help you to know for sure. It
will enable you to see the best plan, for the best
price, that meets your unique prescription needs in your
area. SeniorArk is proud to present this tool to help
you find your way through the maze of Part D. As the
editor of SeniorArk.com, I work with Part D information
every day, and I'm not sure I
will have the best 2009 Plan until I use our own tool.
Use this tool now at 