Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Making the Most of Medicare Open Enrollment

Once a year Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to select a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in which to enroll or replace an existing plan. The Medicare open enrollment period begins October 15, 2012 and ends December 7, 2012. Coverage selected during this time becomes effective as of January 1, 2013.

Medicare Part D coverage may change from year to year, including cost of premiums, co-pays, drugs included in plans and tier levels. It is recommended that beneficiaries review their current plans and compare coverage to other plans.

To help beneficiaries with this process, counselors from Atlantic County’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) are available at 1-888-426-9243 or (609) 645-5965, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Counselors can provide assistance in comparing plans, switching plans and enrolling in a plan, as well as applying for prescription assistance with the State of New Jersey and the Social Security Administration. SHIP counselors provide free, unbiased information to Medicare beneficiaries or their representatives.

To further assist residents, Medicare beneficiaries and their family members are invited to attend a free information forum to be held at four locations in October. Representatives from the State Health Insurance Assistance Program will help participants review and compare plans and make informed choices about which plan is best suited to their needs.

The Medicare Information Forum will be held as follows:

Thursday, October 11 at 2 PM
Atlantic County Library System/Hammonton
451 Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton

Friday, October 19 at 10 AM
Atlantic County Library System/Ventnor
6500 Atlantic Avenue, Ventnor
Tuesday, October 23 at 2 PM
Atlantic County Library System/Galloway
306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway

Tuesday, October 30 at 6 PM
Atlantic County Library System/Egg Harbor Township
1 Swift Avenue, Egg Harbor Township

For more information, please contact the Atlantic County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-888-426-9243.