Extension Medicare minute; Prescription drug plan assistance

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

October is officially here. You have probably already received your "Medicare and You" handbook in the mail and should be watching your mail for information from Medicare about changes in 2012. Did you know that there are new dates to remember for Medicare's fall open enrollment period? Starting in 2011, fall open enrollment (also known as the Annual Coordinated Election Period, or AEP) begins on Oct. 15 and lasts through Dec. 7. During this period, people with Medicare have the right to change their Medicare health and drug coverage options without restriction. They may make as many changes as they need, and the last change they make on or before Dec. 7 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

New 2012 Medicare Drug Plan Stats:

* 31 Medicare prescription drug plans available for 2012 (28 in 2011),

* 89 percent with Part D have access to a plan with a lower premium than they paid in 2011,

* 14 prescription drug plans have no deductibles,

* $15.10 is the lowest monthly premium for a prescription drug plan,

* $67 is the lowest monthly premium for a prescription drug plan with coverage for generic drugs in the coverage gap.

Plan costs and coverage change each year, so everyone with Medicare should check to make sure their plan still meets their health needs and budget. There may be a Medicare health or drug plan available with better coverage or a lower premium in 2012.

Local Extension Agent and Senior Health Insurance Counselor Tara Solomon will be in your area on Nov. 8 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, Fort Scott, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or available at your convenience. This is a free, unbiased service to the members of Neosho, Allen and Bourbon counties.