From 11/15/10 through 12/31/10, Medicare beneficiaries may make changes to their health and medication converage plans.
Understanding Medicare: Need a refresher on Medicare? These resources may help.
- Learn about Medicare Parts A and B here and here.
- Learn about Medicare Part D here and here.
- Learn about Medicare Part C (Advantage Plans) here and here.
- Learn about Medigap plans here.
- Learn about what health benefits are new to Medicare starting 2011.
Understanding Assistance for Low-Income Beneficiaries
- Learn about Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, etc.).
- Learn about the Low Income Subsidy–extra help for Part D.
Understanding Open Enrollment
- Read an explanation of the process here.
Understanding How to Compare Plans: During open enrollment, benefiaries may choose between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage for their health plan, and among many Medicare Part D plans for their prescription coverage. These federal resources may help.
- Learn how to use Medicare’s online comparison tool via this video.
- Use Medicare’s online comparison tool here.
Understanding How to Change Plans or Enroll in a New Plan: During open enrollment, beneficiaries may change health or Part D plans by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. Beneficiaries may change Part D plans by calling Medicare or online at www.Medicare.gov. For more detailed information, see the resources below.
- Learn here how to change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Learn here how to change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.
- Learn here how to change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Learn here how to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
Medicare Counseling: These organizations provide free Medicare counseling to benefiaries and/or professionals.
- The Medicare Rights Center provides free Medicare counseling to professionals (1-800-333-4114 or professional@medicarerights.org) and to consumers (1-800-333-4114). Spanish and English spoken.
- Every state has at least one State Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIP). To find state SHIPS, visit this website.
Iona Senior Resource Digest 