Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter on Thursday advised all Medicare beneficiaries and persons newly eligible for Medicare, that the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D began on October 15. Medicare beneficiaries will have until December 7, 2017 to join or drop their prescription drug plan, Mr. Potter said.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) offers prescription drug coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries, with some exceptions. Beneficiaries with employer or union health coverage do not need to enroll in a prescription drug plan. If you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, you, your spouse, or your dependents may lose your employer or union health coverage.
To get Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare beneficiaries must join a plan run by a private insurance company approved by Medicare. Each year the plan sets the cost and the drugs covered, Mr. Potter said.
In preparation for open enrollment, beneficiaries are encouraged to review their current Medicare coverage to ensure the plan is adequately meeting their needs in terms of cost, coverage and convenience. Individuals who are satisfied with their current plan do not have to re-enroll. Those not taking advantage of this year’s open enrollment will have to wait until next year to make any changes to their coverage.
VI SHIP/Medicare offices are open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in St. Thomas, and from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in St. Croix. For assistance, contact the VI SHIP/Medicare office in St. Thomas at 340-774-7166 or in St. Croix at 340-772-7368, 340-778-6311 extension 3110 or 7396. Beneficiaries may also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
Tags: medicare part D insurance
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