Every Medicare Beneficiary Needs to Be Aware of Medicare's New Benefits

Medicare Education

Medicare Prescription Drug Annual Enrollment Period runs November 15 – December 31, 2008. It is vitally important this year to compare plans, according to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage - Since 2006

As of January 1, 2006, Medicare prescription drug plans became available to everyone with Medicare. Prescription drug coverage now helps Nebraska beneficiaries pay for the prescriptions they need.

In the fall of 2008, Extension staff members are again counseling and helping to enroll beneficiaries during the annual plan election period, November 15 – December 31, 2008. During that time, Medicare beneficiaries can enroll for the first time and/or change plans. CMS indicates that this year comparing prescription drug plans is vitally important due to many changes.

Remember:

Everyone with Medicare is eligible for the drug benefit.

If you already have a Medicare drug plan and wish to change it, you may do so between November 15 and December 31, each year. Certain circumstances, as well as groups of people, qualify for special enrollment periods.

If you are turning 65 and do not have drug coverage… you may enroll in a Medicare drug plan anytime during a seven-month period (the 3 months before your birth-month, the month in which you were born, and 3 months after your birth-month.)

If you are over 65 and have drug coverage that is ending…you have 63 days from the last day of your coverage to enroll in a Medicare drug plan. Generally, this scenario applies to those who are retiring and losing their employer provided health insurance.

If you can't afford Medicare's prescription drug benefit, find out if you're eligible for extra help by contacting your local Social Security Administration, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 and asking for help with your Medicare prescription drug costs.

If you're new to Medicare, you are eligible for the one-time “Welcome to Medicare physical exam.” Starting in 2009, Medicare will cover this exam if you get it within the first 12 months for which you have Part B. Be sure to check on this with your doctor.

Medicare's new Preventive Benefits and Online Tools are especially useful and during 2008 and 2009 staff working with Medicare education continue to promote these sadly underused services. See www.MyMedicare.gov .

Whatever one's circumstances, it's worth checking out what Medicare drug coverage offers. Many resources exist to help with questions. Call your University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Office or the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) at 1-800-234-7119 for more information. Or, contact the Medicare helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

UNL Extension's Involvement:

Since November 2004, UNL Extension has collaborated with the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) to educate and enroll beneficiaries in Medicare prescription drug plans. To strengthen the effort in Nebraska, AARP NEBRASKA, SHIIP and UNL Extension joined with several state and federal agencies to form the Nebraska Medicare Prescription Drug Coalition . Since June 1 of 2005, the Coalition has led the effort statewide to educate professionals and build a strong network of key stakeholders who have used a consistent, accurate message and coordinated effort to implement the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit in Nebraska. The Coalition also maintains a Medicare Part D Web site containing information for the public as well as professionals that can be found at: answers4families.

Success of UNL Extension's efforts:

  • According to 2008 statistics released by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, 88.2% of Nebraska's 268,000+ Medicare beneficiaries have some type of creditable drug coverage.
  • Nebraska ranks 3rd in the nation in terms of Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug coverage.
  • In the last year (Fall 2007-Summer 2008), UNL Extension faculty assisted 1,083 clients and enabled approximately 494 Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a plan or change plans, saving them approximately $267,900.00. See the full impact report .

For more information contact your local University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Office or call the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) at: 1-800-234-7199