It's time for Medicare enrollees to make important choices
Annual enrollment period comes a month earlier this year

Once each year, Medicare consumers can change their Medicare options or prescription drug plans or enroll in a plan if they missed earlier deadlines. This year, open enrollment starts a full month earlier, on Oct. 15, and ends three weeks earlier, on Dec. 7. The dates were changed to avoid end-of-the-year holidays and to allow plan sponsors to get enrollment packets and new coverage cards to beneficiaries before January.

Consumers will receive important information in the mail during September and October.

• If a consumer is enrolled in a plan that is leaving Medicare or will stop providing coverage in the consumer's area, the plan will send the consumer a letter explaining his or her options.
• If a consumer is enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan, the plan will send a notice explaining any changes for the next year.
• If a consumer has prescription coverage through a former employer or union, that organization will notify him or her by Oct. 15 if their prescription benefit is as good or better than the Medicare benefit, and if it is going to change in any way in 2012.
• If a consumer receives help with the costs of his or her Medicare prescription drug coverage, he or she may get a letter explaining how that help may change.

Consumers should compare their coverage with other available options each year to see if there's a better choice to meet their needs in the coming year. Plans and benefits can and do change. Common changes include the premium amount, the drugs the plan covers and the doctors and pharmacies the plan works with. The plan also may put certain limitations on the drugs or add new drugs that it will cover in 2012.

Specific questions consumers need to consider as they examine plans include:

• Will the plan cover necessary medications next year?
• Will the plan have a coverage gap next year?
• What will the plan's monthly premium be next year?
• Will the plan have a deductible next year?
• What will the copayments or coinsurance be once the consumer has paid the deductible?
• Will the consumer's doctors and local pharmacy be in the plan's network?

New coverage begins Jan. 1, 2012, if the consumer enrolls in a plan or switches to a different plan during the annual open enrollment period. If the consumer switches to another Medicare prescription drug plan, he or she should not cancel his or her existing plan. When the new plan takes effect on Jan. 1, the old plan will automatically end. If the consumer keeps his or her existing plan, new costs and coverage changes will begin Jan. 1.

The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), sponsored by the Ohio Department of Insurance, provides free health insurance information and services for all people with Medicare. OSHIIP staff and volunteers provide accurate, unbiased information about Medicare and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Beginning this month, OSHIIP conducts Medicare Check-Up Days, community-based events held in every county, designed to share accurate and objective information regarding the changes in Medicare for the upcoming year. These events continue through early December and reach hundreds of Ohioans.

OSHIIP also has produced a Shopper's Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medicare Options, which explains how health insurance coverage under Medicare works in conjunction with supplemental insurance policies and Medicare Advantage plans. It answers common questions, gives shopping tips and offers sample company premiums for supplemental policies.

OSHIIP Medicare experts provide free objective, accurate information and assistance. Contact OSHIIP toll-free at 1-800-686-1578 Monday through Friday from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm or go online to find a local OSHIIP volunteer coordinator or OSHIIP counseling site.

Related Links

Medicare.gov

Ohio Department of Insurance

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Aging Connection, published regularly by the Ohio Department of Aging, connects professionals in Ohio’s aging network to information and resources that can help them care for and serve our older citizens. Topics include the latest resources and best pactices within the aging network, state and federal programs and benefits, pending and recent policy and legislation that may impact older Ohioans, the latest research in gerontology and aging issues and more.

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