OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MEDICARE PART C & D

If you are currently on a Medicare Part D Plan, Medicare Advantage Plan or Senior Care, and are thinking of making changes, the dates to do so are fast approaching.  To either change or get out of your current Medicare Part D Plan, you need to make the change between November 15th and December 31. 2010.  You can join Senior Care anytime in the year, BUT, you can't drop out of your part D plan at any other time.

If you would like to check to see if you can find a better Medicare Part D Plan, you need to contact the Oconto County Commission on Aging, Inc.  We will send out a Part D worksheet, that you fill out and return to us.  After we have put the information in the computer system, we will send out information about Part D plans that will cover your prescriptions.  If you would like to talk to someone and discuss your options call and make an appointment.

November 15th thought December 31st are also the times to change or disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan.  A Medicare Advantage Plan, is a private insurance company that handles both the Medicare portion of your healthcare and the portion that would be covered by a supplement insurance plan.  The Advantage plan receives the premium that Social Security withholds from your check.  You may also pay a small premium, but, not always.  You will make a co-payment when you have medical appointments, or a procedure done.  The plan determines the amount of the co-payments.

If you would like information about, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage Plan, or Senior Care please contact Becky Wendt (Benefit Specialist) at the Oconto Commission on Aging, Inc., offices located at 1210 Main St inside the municipal building or by phone at 920-834-7707 or 1-800-649-6568.

 "EXTRA HELP FOR LOW INCOME ELDERLY"

There is help available to low income elderly to help pay your Medicare premiums, and your portion of Medicare costs.

The Medicare Savings Program is a government program that pays for some or all of  the premiums, deductible and co-payment that you have to pay under Medicare.  There are two types of Medicare Savings Programs:  SLMB and QMB.  If you qualify for SLMB then your Medicare Part B premium will be paid for you monthly and you will be responsible for paying the annual Medicare deductible and 20 percent co-pays for Medicare covered services.  If you qualify for QMB then your Medicare Part B premium will be paid each month and your annual deductible and 20 percent covered service co-pays will also be paid each month that you are eligible. 

If you are eligible for either type of Medicare Savings programs, you are also automatically qualified for another government program that pays for most of your prescription drug costs:  The Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy or sometimes called the "Extra Help" program.  If you enroll in a Medicare Part D  prescription drug plan, the Low Income Subsidy will pay some, or all, of your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan premium each month and you will have no annual deductible and pay only very small co-payments for your drugs each month.

These programs are only available to people who have income and assets below a certain amount.  Some people who don't qualify for either QMB or SLMB can still qualify for the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy.  You can contact your local benefit specialist, Becky Wendt at 920-834-7707 or 1-800-649-6568 to find out if you are eligible for either program. Or in person by stopping by the Municipal Building located at 1210 Main St Oconto Wi.