The annual Medicare Part D Prescription Plans Open Enrollment period starts and ends earlier this year. It will be from October 15 to December 7.

Open Enrollment is the one time each year when everyone with Medicare can enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, or switch to a different plan for 2012. Changes will be effective January 1, 2012.

Insurance companies that offer Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans were required to send Annual Notice of Change packets to their members by September 30. These packets explain changes to a plan’s benefits, drug list and costs for 2012. Some people were notified that their coverage will change in 2012 or that their plan has been discontinued. Others were told that they will automatically be moved into a different plan offered by the same company. For anyone who is not happy with their new plan, now is the time to make a change.

Medicare Part d Prescription Plans

• Make sure you received the Annual Notice of Change. If you did not, call your Medicare Part D plan right away and ask them to mail you one.

• Evaluate plans carefully, whether it’s your existing plan or a new one you’re considering. Look at the plan to be sure it covers the medications you need, and whether you can afford the premiums, deductibles and co-pays.

• Review the list of drugs (also called a formulary) that your plan pays for and make sure it covers your prescription drugs. The Annual Notice of Change packet should include a formulary of drugs your plan will cover next year. Call your plan if you did not receive a formulary with your packet or if your drugs are not listed.

• Plans change and so do individual health care needs. If changes to your existing plan are acceptable, you don’t need to do anything. If not, you need to find a plan that better fits your needs.

• Don’t wait until the last minute to enroll in a plan. Join as soon as possible to be sure everything is in place by January 1.

• Remember that the deadline for enrolling is earlier this year – December 7.

For information about qualifying and applying for these programs, call Health Insurance Services, Inc at (847)566-6250

Medicare has changed the “open enrollment” period this year.

Therefore, beneficiaries need to study their options regarding Part D prescription drug and Part C Medicare Advantage plans.

In prior years, the annual enrollment period did not begin until mid-November and lasted through end of the year, with any changes or choices made effective Jan. 1.

Starting this year, that time period has been moved up for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

This means that Medicare beneficiaries will have to analyze their options and make choices earlier than in prior years.

During “open enrollment,” Medicare beneficiaries who do not have a Part D plan can enroll in one, and those who do have Part D coverage can change plans.

They can also return to traditional Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan, enroll in an MA plan, or change MA plans.

Individuals must make their choices by the new deadline of Dec. 7 in order for coverage to be effective Jan. 1, 2012. Open enrollment is only once a year.

Even if individuals are satisfied with their plan in 2011, they still need to review their plan options for 2012.

Part D and MA plans may have made changes to their coverage, provider networks and other plan features.

Starting Oct. 1, 2011, plan information for 2012 will be available on the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov.

Medicare Advantage and Part D plan sponsors are allowed to start marketing their plans on Oct. 1.

If you have questions about Medicare please contact Health Insurance Services, Inc. We are Medicare Experts.