PDP – Medicare Part D Drug plan

******************OPEN ENROLLMENT, MEDICARE PART D Rx Prescription Drug Plans********

The open enrollment period for Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance plan coverage begins November 15, 2010 and extends to December 31, 2010.  Everyone currently covered by Part D should evaluate their current plan, and decide if another plan is more cost effective. Colorado will have 31 stand alone plans issued by 17 different carriers in 2011. There were 48 plans issued by 20 carriers in 2010.

There is assistance available to help with the decision process. Medicare’s web site, www.medicare.gov will rank plans by cost once you enter your zip code and Medicare card information. The information is secured and not available for public use. Also, assistance is available through the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) free of charge. The toll free phone number is 1-866-550-2752. The SHIP office will typically use the Medicare web site to conduct the analysis. The Medicare web site provides an estimated out of pocket annual cost for you.

Begin the analysis process by listing the medications you take, the dosage, and frequency. Have your preferred pharmacy address available, and a second pharmacy location because each Part D plan insurer has their own pharmacy network.

Before you enroll in any plan call the plan. Speak with a phone representative about their plan’s coverage of each prescription you use.

Enrollment can be completed on-line through the Medicare.gov web site beginning November 15th. You can enroll by calling the plan customer representative.

Call me with your Medicare Part D questions to start, 720.635.3180, and I can guide you through the process.