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Written by Tammy Walro
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Tuesday, 23 December 2008 10:31 |
COLUMBUS - Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson is reminding Medicare beneficiaries that the open enrollment or “annual coordinated election” period for 2009 Medicare coverage ends at midnight Dec. 31. Those who don’t qualify for financial assistance to help pay for costs associated with a stand-alone Part D drug plan and enroll after the Dec. 31 deadline will incur a late enrollment penalty. The Department - through its Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) - is urging beneficiaries to call its toll-free hotline at 1-800-686-1578 and 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help sorting the plan choices and for enrollment help.
“This is the time for beneficiaries to assure they select a plan that best fits their needs in the upcoming year,” Director Hudson said. “The Department’s OSHIIP Medicare experts can help beneficiaries understand the different coverage options, run plan comparison reports and provide enrollment assistance.”
The Department is also cautioning people with Medicare to be aware of potential predatory sales practices by some insurance agents during open enrollment. Such documented cases include removing beneficiaries from certain coverage without their knowledge, enrolling beneficiaries in plans they can’t afford and misleading enrollees to believe their physician or hospital accepts their Medicare plan.
During open enrollment, people on Medicare can choose one of several coverage options:
1.) Original Medicare for their health coverage needs and adding a Part D plan to get prescription drug coverage.
2.) A Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits often including drug coverage.
3.) After comparison shopping, determine their existing coverage continues to meet their health insurance needs.
The premium cost and covered drugs vary by plan and a late enrollment penalty will apply to certain beneficiaries. Medicare coverage secured through open enrollment will begin Jan. 1, 2009.
Those who qualify for Part D financial assistance, which is secured through the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213, can get help paying their Part D premiums, deductibles and co-payments. Many beneficiaries with limited income and assets will be automatically enrolled into a Part D plan and for financial assistance, while others with slightly higher incomes will need to apply.
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