Medicare Shopping Season Started October 15-Are YOU ready?

Are you ready to start shopping for Medicare Part D coverage? Think you don’t need to do anything because you were happy with your plan last year? Medicare Part D shopping season starts October 15th and experts advise all beneficiaries to do their homework. Navigating through the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage can be confusing and choosing the wrong plan can be a costly mistake with high out of pocket expenses. So, how do you find the right option? Where do you turn if you simply don’t know where to start? The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is a statewide program run by a team of volunteers that have gone through an extensive training on Medicare and Medicaid. MMAP can help individuals determine which plans cover their medications and narrow down their options to see what will work best for them. The decision on which plan to choose is still made by the individual, but they are armed with the information they need to make the decision. “The options can be a lot to sort through, especially if you are taking multiple medications and need to search for plans that cover specific prescriptions,” says Karen Rozelle, Regional MMAP Coordinator at the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan. “So much of the research into which plan is right for you is completed online now, which can be intimidating to some older adults. Our volunteers are trained in how to use the system and they are ready to help.” This year there are 34 available drug plans in Michigan. Some of the plans that were popular in West Michigan in 2012 have been discontinued for 2013 while other ones have changed portions of the coverage. Experts advise beneficiaries to review their plan each year to make sure it still works for their current needs. “Plans can change from year to year and if you don’t do the research, you may end up with surprises that are very costly. By doing the research, you can determine if that plan still fits your needs,” says Rozelle. “It’s also possible that someone’s health and /or their health care needs have changed during the year and they will want to take that into consideration. For example, are they going to the doctor more often or are they taking more medications now than before. All of these need to be considered in order to make the most cost effective choice.” To contact a MMAP counselor in your area, call 1-800-803-7174. To search plans online go to www.medicare.gov For more information on other programs for seniors, contact the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (616) 456-5664 or visit www.aaawm.org.