Getting Prepared
Joining a Medicare plan that covers prescription drugs is voluntary. If you want coverage, you must choose to join a plan to receive it. Open enrollment is November 15th - December 31st first of every year with your prescription drug coverage starting on January 1st. Just like other insurance, if you choose not to join when you are first eligible and later change your mind, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
- Gather... information about your current coverage for healthcare and prescription drugs. Make sure you know what coverage you have now.
Gather information about the drugs you use, including their names and dosages. Think about other things that matter to you about coverage, like whether you want more protection if your drug needs change, or whether you want coverage that has a lower premium. This will help you compare plans later.
Download Part D Plan comparison worksheet - Remember... the key Medicare dates:
- October 2007 - Watch the mail for the Medicare & You handbook. Look for community events throughout the fall.
- November 15, 2007 - Open enrollment begins
- December 31, 2007 - Last day to join a 2007 plan
- January 1, 2008 - Coverage begins for those who join by December 31, 2007
- Apply... for extra help if you think you might qualify. Apply online
- Watch... for the Medicare & You handbook arriving in your mail in October. Read it carefully and talk about this new coverage with people you know and trust.
Medicare is working with people and organizations at the local level to help you understand the new prescription drug coverage and the various plan options available in your community. Look for information about events in your local newspaper or listen for information on the radio. Need extra help?
You can also get personalized counseling by calling your State Health Insurance Assistance Program or local office on aging. For the telephone number of your local office on aging, visit www.eldercare.gov.
Remember: You must sign up for coverage to begin. Once you feel comfortable that you have all the information you need to make a decision, it’s time to act. You must join for coverage to begin. You can do it as early as November 15th for coverage beginning January 1st. Sign up by December 31st and you won’t miss a day of coverage. The sooner you join, the sooner your coverage will begin. Got a question? Need someone to walk you through it? Call 1-800-MEDICARE any time day or night. Or visit medicare.gov on the web.
