Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15 thru December 7

Get the most out of your Medicare.  Each year, Medicare plans can make changes to their coverage, benefits, and costs.  Every fall, all people with Medicare should review their current health and prescription drug coverage.  Do you, or someone you know, need extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage?  If a person has limited income and resources, they may qualify for “extra help.”

Take the time to gather all the things you’ll need to make a decision about your health and prescription drug coverage.  You’ll need a list of medications you take, a list of providers you want to use, like your doctor or pharmacy, any notice from your plan (called the Annual Notice of Change), Social Security, or Medicare about changes to your costs and coverage for next year, and information about other plans in your area for next year.

You may then visit www.medicare.gov website to compare all of your options, search for plans in your area, and check to see if you qualify for “extra help.”  If you don’t have internet access, open enrollment events have been scheduled in Comanche, Cotton, Garvin, Jackson, Jefferson, Tillman and Stephens counties.  Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) Counselors will be at these events to assist with plan comparisons, enrollment, and answer questions regarding Medicare.  Or, you can schedule a private meeting with a MAP Counselor. 

For enrollment event dates and locations, or to schedule a private appointment, contact Vonn Saltzman, Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG), Medicare Assistance Specialist, (580)736-7973 or (800)658-1466.