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Stay on Top of Medicare Part DDon't Wait Until the Last Minute to Change Plans 
From November 15th through December 31st of each year, Medicare offers you an opportunity to change prescription drug plans or enroll in a plan if you missed earlier deadlines. You have until December 31st to enroll in or change your Medicare drug plan for 2010. If you enroll now, your new plan will be effective January 1, 2010. Don’t wait until the last minute. If you have questions about Medicare drug coverage or need help comparing or enrolling in a plan, call the SHIIP counselor at Boone County Hospital at (515) 432-1127. SHIIP counselors cannot recommend or select a Part D plan for you but can provide you with information to help with your decision.
The two weeks prior to December 31st will be very busy for Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) and SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) volunteers. You also have the option of enrolling yourself or getting a family member to help you enroll online at www.medicare.gov.
Be sure to print and keep a copy of the confirmation if you enroll online. If you enroll with a counselor, keep a copy of the signed (by you and the volunteer) and dated enrollment form. Should you enroll by telephone, request a confirmation number, the name of the person enrolling you and note the date and time of enrollment.
After December 2009, the next opportunity to enroll or change plans for most people will be November 15th through December 31st of 2010. Remember, if you’re on Medicare and you don’t have drug coverage, or the coverage you have is not as good as Medicare’s, you will face a penalty for each month you delay in enrolling in Part D.
SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa Insurance Division. All services are free and confidential. |
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