Dissecting The Medicare Part D Deadline

Today is the last day for some Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in or change Medicare Part D, and there may be people panicking.

Don't, says Bea Braun, a Spring Hill resident who has volunteered to help local seniors navigate the complexities of the plan that's now in its fourth year.

For many enrollees, today is the last day and failing to switch plans could cost money, Braun said. Because the drug plans change each year and a person's prescription drug needs also change, every Medicare recipient should reassess their coverage on an annual basis, she said.

But those most sensitive to changes in co-payments - low-income seniors on Medicaid or who receive some other kind of income subsidy - have until March 31 to make changes, Braun said.

Those who must enroll or make changes by today and keep them for the next year are people who do not receive an income subsidy.

"The people who would not be able to change after the 31st can probably afford to continue with their plan," Braun said. "It's not going to change that much. Maybe some of the co-pays will change a little bit."

Patients who are currently enrolled in a private health care plan such as an HMO and want to switch to the Medicare drug plan also have until March 31.

Whichever category you fit in, there are local volunteers ready to help today.

Volunteers with Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, or SHINE, will be on hand at two locations.

The volunteers are available every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Little Red Schoolhouse, 1208 Kenlake Ave., off Spring Hill Drive; and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the East Hernando library branch at 6457 Windmere Road in Ridge Manor.

Medicare also has several tools to help seniors enroll and determine if their current plan is still a good fit.

At www.medicare.gov, seniors can compare prescription drug plans by price, benefits and medications covered.They can also use a calculator to see what their estimated monthly costs would be under a specific plan.

Help can also be found at 1-800-633-4227.