By the GWAAR Medicare Outreach Team
Do you have a Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan or a Medicare Advantage with Drug coverage? Every year Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change the list of prescription medications they will cover as well as the providers that they have in the network. That means even if you are taking the same medications and seeing the same doctors, the amount you pay for your medications and care may change in 2021! The plans’ premiums, deductibles, and co-pays can also change each year.
What can people do about this? All Medicare beneficiaries should check their coverage each year during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period which runs October 15 through December 7th. This is the time of year to find out if your current plan will cost you more, or less, than other available plans for 2021. If it is no longer the best plan for your medications and providers, this is the time to switch to a plan that will suit you better.
Make sure you will have appropriate coverage in the new year. You can compare plans on the official Medicare website at Medicare.gov. Medicare beneficiaries in Brown County can also receive free, unbiased assistance with plan comparisons from the Benefit Specialists at ADRC of Brown County.
Start preparing early this year. ADRC can offer individual plan assistance by phone, by mail, or by virtual appointment. At the time this article was written our office is not yet offering face to face visits; however, that may have changed, please call us to see what we can offer. Call an ADRC Benefit Specialist today at (920) 448-4300.
Assistance is also available through the following resources:
· 1-800-MEDICARE or www.medicare.gov
· Wisconsin Medigap helpline
1-800-242-1060
· Wisconsin Disability Drug Helpline
1-800-926-4862 (if under age 60)
· Wisconsin Medigap Prescription Drug
Helpline 1-855-677-2783
