Need Help with Medicare Part D?
Get Free Assistance Comparing Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Medicare Open Enrollment is Nov. 15 – Dec. 31, 2008
Each year plans adjust what they cost and what they cover. Now is the time for people with Medicare to review the changes being made by their current plan and compare it to others to make sure it still meets their needs. Those who don't have prescription drug coverage can also enroll in a drug plan during open enrollment.
Some beneficiaries may see significant premium increases or changes – such as reduced coverage in the gap – if they stay in the same prescription drug plan in 2009. Medicare encourages individual beneficiaries to review how their plans are changing and what other options are available.
There are four ways to review and compare plans:
- 1. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048). 24 hour help is available from trained Medicare representatives.
- 2. Visit www.medicare.gov. Compare costs, coverage and more. Get an estimate of your out‑of‑pocket costs for the year.
- 3. See the listing of plans in your Medicare & You handbook and information sent to you by your plan.
- 4. Talk with local Medicare experts at the North Dakota State Health Insurance Counseling office (SHIC) by calling 2-1-1 or 1-888-575-6611.
- 5. Attend an event in your area to meet one‑on‑one with counselors.
- All events are from 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Bismarck: November 17 at the Doublewood Inn, Heritage Room, 1400 East Interchange Avenue
- Dickinson: November 20 at the Grand Dakota Lodge, Lewis and Clark Room, 532 15th Street West
- Williston: November 24 at the Senior Center, 18 Main Street
- Minot: November 25 at the Sleep Inn, 2400 10th Street SW
- Fargo: December 1 at the Ramada Hotel, Crystal Ballroom, 1635 42nd Street, SW
- Wahpeton: December 2 at the NDSCS, RR Valley Room, 800 6th Street North
- Valley City: December 4 at the Senior Center, 139 2nd Avenue SE
- Jamestown: December 9 at the Gladstone Inn, 111 2nd Street NE
- Grand Forks: December 16 at the C’Mon Inn, 3051 32nd Avenue South
- Devils Lake: December 17 at the Lake Region College, Heritage Room, 1801 College Drive North
- Bring your medications or a list of your prescriptions and dosages. Your pharmacist may be able to provide you a printout of your current medications. Trained specialists will put basic information about you and your medications into Medicare’s online drug plan finder and help you compare plan options.
People with Medicare should also be aware of Medicare fraud and identity theft. To help protect Medicare beneficiaries when speaking with plans and others about their Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare urges them to protect their Medicare number as they would their credit card information. People with Medicare should not give their information to anyone who comes to their home (or calls them) uninvited selling Medicare-related products. If you or someone you love is not sure if a provider is approved by Medicare, simply call 1-800-MEDICARE.