Medicare recipients and prescription drugs

Personal Column or News Release

Mary Loftis

UNL Extension Assistant

September 5, 2013

mloftis2@unl.edu

 

Medicare Recipients Plan for Prescription Drug Plan Race

 

On your mark…get set…GO!  The race to compare and select a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan for 2014 is nearly here. Open enrollment for the Medicare Prescription Drug Program is October 15-December 7 again this year. In order to complete the race successfully you need to make advance preparations just like you would train for a foot race in track.

 

Here are some training tips to help make you successful in your quest to win the race and find the best and least expensive drug plan for 2014:

 

1. On your mark…

That means come to the starting line prepared to win. Medicare recipients usually receive a lot of mail this time of year. Knowing what to read and what to recycle can sometimes be a challenge. If the information comes from Social Security or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) you will want to read and keep this information. Remember, Social Security and Medicare will not call you unless you have made contact with them and have requested help from them. Do not let anyone talk you out of your Medicare number and information. Scammers get rich off the Medicare program, don’t be a victim. In some cases you have to reapply each year to continue to receive Medicaid benefits or prescription drug assistance. You won’t want to miss those deadlines.

If you receive information from your current prescription drug plan it would be wise to read it also. This will most likely be an update on their program, costs and changes for the next year. However, just because a prescription drug plan has been “your plan” in the past, it does not mean you have to stay with them. The Medicare Prescription Drug Program allows its members to change drug plans every year with no penalty. That way you will get the prescriptions you need for the least amount of money.

 

1. 2.     Get set…

Make your preparations to compare prescription drug plans. You can

get help with this in several ways:

A. You can go on-line to: www.medicare.gov and compare drug and health plans by working your way through the website. If you or a family member or friend needs step by step directions on how to do that you are welcome to call or stop by the UNL Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929 and ask for the Medicare Prescription Drug Computer Help Sheet.

B. You can also call the Medicare Hotline at: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). After going through the voicemail system you can tell the telephone consultant what prescriptions you are taking along with all your personal information. They will be able to tell or send you a comparison showing which plan offers you the best coverage for your needs from all 30+ Medicare Prescription Drug Plans offered in Nebraska for 2014.

C. Your third and possibly best option to get set for the race is to make an appointment at one of the Medicare Open Enrollment Comparison Events offered in Burt, Dodge and Washington Counties. The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) trains volunteers to assist Medicare recipients compare prescription drug plans. They do not receive any commission from the drug companies and are only looking out for your best interests as they compare your prescription needs to all the plans available this year.

 

1. 3.     GO!

Between October 15 and December 7 make sure you GO to the computer,

GO to the phone or GO to a Medicare Open Enrollment Comparison Workshop

to make sure your prescription drug plan fits you the best for the least amount of

money. Check out the dates and locations (listed below) and call for an

appointment for the time, date and location most convenient to you. Other SHIIP

enrollment events may be found by calling the Nebraska SHIIP number at:

1-800-234-7119.

 

Don’t have a false start called against you by trying to enroll in a different

plan before October 15. Make sure you finish the race before December 7 so

you know you have the Prescription Drug plan that will serve you the best for the

least money next year. That is the best way to win the race for yourself and/or

your loved one.

 

Now you have the information you need to enter and win the race to select a Medicare Prescription Drug plan for 2014. On your mark…Get set…GO!

 

2014 Medicare Open Enrollment Comparison Workshops:

Coordinated by Mary Loftis, UNL Extension Assistant & SHIIP Volunteer

 

Anyone in any community or county is welcome to attend any of these sessions, however reservations should be made by calling the UNL Extension office in the host county.

 

Burt County  Call: 402-374-2929

 

 

Thursday, October 17 – 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Orville and Willa Chatt Senior Center – 1124 S. 13th Street, Tekamah

 

Monday, October 21 – 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Orville and Willa Chatt Senior Center – 1124 S. 13th Street, Tekamah

 

Friday October 25 – 9:00 – Noon.

Lyons Public Library, 305 Main St., Lyons

 

Tuesday, October 29 – 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sears Senior Center – 8^th and Broadway, Decatur

 

Wednesday October 30 9:00 – Noon

Lyons Public Library, 305 Main St., Lyons

 

Wednesday October 30 – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Tekamah-Herman Computer Classroom #106,  112 N. 13th Street, Tekamah

 

Thursday, October 31 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Oakland Public Library, 500 North Oakland Ave., Oakland

 

Friday, November 1 – 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Craig Fire Hall – 333 Main Street, Craig

 

Wednesday, November 6 – 9:00 – Noon

Lyons Public Library, 305 Main St., Lyons

 

Wednesday, November 6 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Sears Senior Center – 8^th and Broadway, Decatur

 

Thursday, November 21 – 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Orville and Willa Chatt Senior Center – 1124 S. 13^th Street, Tekamah

 

 

Washington County  Call: 402-426-9455

 

 

Wednesday, October 23 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Washington County Extension Office, 597 Grant Street, Blair

                                                                                                                

Thursday, October 24 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Washington County Extension Office, 597 Grant Street, Blair

 

Dodge County  Call: 402-727-2775

 

Monday, October 28 – 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

North Bend Library, 110 E 13^th St. North Bend, Heritage Room

 

Thursday, November 7 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd Street, Fremont

 

Friday, November 8 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd Street, Fremont

 Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu