KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffMedicare enrollment soon to begin for 2010

Medicare enrollment soon to begin for 2010

By Julia Bruck - bio | email

(KFVS) - It is that time of year again when folks can enroll in Medicare programs.  However, changes to an already complicated system can be overwhelming for some.

"I find it very confusing," said Phyllis Dutton.

That is why Dutton is at the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging, to help navigate her Medicare plan, specifically Part D.

"We'll go to medicare.gov website and put in your medications and we'll see what it will cost with Medicare Part D," said Rindi Reeves with the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging.

Reeves says now is the time to start looking at your Medicare drug coverage, just like Dutton.  She adds you may have recently received a letter from your Medicare drug plan.

"In that letter it tells you if there are going to be changes to what your month premium is, every Medicare drug plan covers different medication," Reeves said.

Reeves says this is when plans change what drug they will cover.  Which means the price you pay at the pharmacy could go up.

"If your drug plan changes and you don't do anything about it January 1 is when you will notice that the changes have taken affect and by then it will be too late to change to a different plan," Executive Director John Smith said.

It is something Dutton hopes to avoid, as she asks Reeves several questions about a possible new plan.

"It's tough.  My income doesn't go up but everything else does," Dutton said.

If you have, questions about your Medicare plan call the Illinois Department of Insurance at 1-800-548-9034.  At that time ask about programs to help pay for your medication.

Open enrollment for Medicare plans begin November 15 and run through December 31.

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