Ohio Department of Insurance to Host Medicare Check-up Days
The Ohio Department of Insurance is conducting a series of Medicare Check-Up Days in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. They will be held starting in the fall and run until December 31. The Lakewood Public Library, 15425 Detroit Ave. at Arthur Ave., Lakewood, OH will be hosting an event on December 15th, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
The Check-Up Days complement Medicare’s annual open enrollment or "coordinated election" period, which starts November 15 and ends December 31. People on Medicare have several options they can learn about. They can choose Original Medicare for their health coverage needs and pair it with a stand-alone Part D plan to get their prescription drug coverage. They could also select a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits including drug coverage; or they may determine their existing coverage already meets their health insurance needs. Medicare coverage secured through open enrollment will begin January 1, 2009.
At each Check-Up Day, the Department’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) representatives will provide information on recent Medicare changes, explain the different coverage options, run comparison reports on various plans and advise beneficiaries if they can coordinate other coverages such as Veterans Administration along with that of Part D.
For events Nov. 15 and later, OSHIIP can help beneficiaries enroll in their Medicare coverage of choice. Now in its 16th year, OSHIIP is the state's lead program for Medicare information and enrollment assistance.
Other topics include significant savings on prescription drug costs for those with limited incomes; how to save using retail discount drug plans; drug company patient assistance programs; Medicare’s preventive benefits and managing expenses during the Part D coverage “doughnut hole,” or gap in coverage. Attendees are encouraged to bring a list of their prescriptions drugs, dosages and preferred pharmacy, as well as any information on pension, VA or other medical care benefits they are receiving.
For a complete listing of available Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.medicare.gov" www.medicare.gov. Those with Medicare questions and who need enrollment assistance (starting Nov. 15) can call OSHIIP at 1-800-686-1578 or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). A listing of Medicare Check-Up Days is available on the Department’s web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.ohioinsurance.gov" www.ohioinsurance.gov.
The Check-Up Days complement Medicare’s annual open enrollment or "coordinated election" period, which starts November 15 and ends December 31. People on Medicare have several options they can learn about. They can choose Original Medicare for their health coverage needs and pair it with a stand-alone Part D plan to get their prescription drug coverage. They could also select a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits including drug coverage; or they may determine their existing coverage already meets their health insurance needs. Medicare coverage secured through open enrollment will begin January 1, 2009.
At each Check-Up Day, the Department’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) representatives will provide information on recent Medicare changes, explain the different coverage options, run comparison reports on various plans and advise beneficiaries if they can coordinate other coverages such as Veterans Administration along with that of Part D.
For events Nov. 15 and later, OSHIIP can help beneficiaries enroll in their Medicare coverage of choice. Now in its 16th year, OSHIIP is the state's lead program for Medicare information and enrollment assistance.
Other topics include significant savings on prescription drug costs for those with limited incomes; how to save using retail discount drug plans; drug company patient assistance programs; Medicare’s preventive benefits and managing expenses during the Part D coverage “doughnut hole,” or gap in coverage. Attendees are encouraged to bring a list of their prescriptions drugs, dosages and preferred pharmacy, as well as any information on pension, VA or other medical care benefits they are receiving.
For a complete listing of available Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.medicare.gov" www.medicare.gov. Those with Medicare questions and who need enrollment assistance (starting Nov. 15) can call OSHIIP at 1-800-686-1578 or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). A listing of Medicare Check-Up Days is available on the Department’s web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.ohioinsurance.gov" www.ohioinsurance.gov.
Volume 4, Issue 23, Posted 2:11 PM, 10.24.2008
