Medicare Part D open enrollment begins Oct. 15

Henry County?s RSVP program is preparing for the open enrollment period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7) for Medicare supplement prescription coverage, according to Carol Dustman, RSVP director.

Dustman said she will have three volunteers working to meet with people during that period.

Just 13 percent of people with Medicare Part D plans change their drug plans each year on average, according to the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP).

In addition, relatively few people on Medicare have used the open enrollment period to switch Part D prescription drug plans.

However, in Iowa, 50 percent of the people who received help from the State of Iowa?s SHIIP program changed plans for 2016 and had a combined savings of over $16 million.

Each year by Sept. 30, people with Part D plans receive the ?annual notice of change? sent by plans to explain changes to the formulary (drugs covered), benefits and costs. This is the first opportunity for people to review their coverage. Medicare Part D recipients are urged to do a comparison of Part D plans to see if another plan would provide better coverage at a lower cost for 2017.

If recipients would like help comparing plans, contact SHIIP. In Henry County, an appointment with a SHIIP counselor can be made by calling The Fellowship Cup at 319-385-3242. In one hour or less, a SHIIP counselor can complete a review, let the recipient know if money can be saved and make sure the recipient has access to drugs needed in 2017.

SHIIP?s services are free, confidential and objective. Any changes made become effective Jan. 1, 2017.

The 2017 Medicare drug plans are available on the Medicare website, www.medicare.gov. Plans not renewing their contract with Medicare for 2017 had to notify their members by Oct. 2. ?Notices of creditable coverage? are also due Oct. 15. This is a notice from employer/union and other group health plans which tell Medicare eligible enrollees if their drug coverage will be ?as good or better than Medicare?s coverage? in 2017.

Questions about Medicare Part D can also be directed to SHIIP at 1-800-351-4664 (TTY 1-800-735-2492) or by visiting www.therightcalliowa.gov or emailing shiip@iid.iowa.gov.