subject: Medicare Open Enrollment 2011 Starts November 15, 2010 [print this page] Medicare Open Enrollment 2011 Starts November 15, 2010
It's that time again when Medicare insurance plans allow beneficiaries to add, drop or change their prescription drug coverage and select a health plan for their 2011 coverage.
"Each year Medicare insurance plans change what they cost and what they cover," notes Alan Weinstock, insurance broker at www.MedicareSupplementPlans.com. "It's important that Medicare beneficiaries review the plans available in their area in order to make sure they are getting the best coverage for them. That includes Medicare supplement insurance coverage as well."
Important Facts for California Medicare Beneficiaries in 2011
Plan costs and coverage change year to year, so all Medicare beneficiaries should check to make sure their plan still meets their needs and budget. There may be a Medicare health or drug plan available with better coverage or a lower deductible in 2011.
With that in mind, here are some important facts that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) want you to know:
There are 33 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) available
88% of people with Medicare have prescription drug coverage (including 69% with Part D)
39% of people with Part D get Extra Help (also called the low-income subsidy, or LIS)
91% of people with Part D can pay a lower premium in 2011 than they did in 2010
100% of people with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan for a $0 premium
15 PDPs have $0 deductibles
$14.80 is the lowest monthly premium for a PDP
$43.20 is the lowest monthly premium for a PDP with any generic coverage in the coverage gap
5 PDPs have a premium of $0 for people who qualify for the Extra Help program
And Medicare beneficiaries who want to ensure they are choosing the correct plan with the best benefits at the lowest cost should seek expert help in Medicare supplement plans through brokers such as those atwww.MedicareSupplementPlans.com.
Important Dates for California Medicare Beneficiaries
Over the course of the next three months, California Medicare beneficiaries have some important dates they will want to keep in mind.
In October, they should watch their mail for notices from Medicare, Social Security, and health and drug plans with information about changes in 2011. Then starting October 15, they can compare plans online at www.medicare.gov.
In November, the new CMS pamphlet "Medicare & You" 2011 should arrive in your mail in time for Open Enrollment which starts on November 15. But don't forget that Open Enrollment ends on December 31.
In the meantime there are helpful Medicare tools and information available at the CMS web site. Medicare beneficiaries can use these resources to compare the cost or benefits of Medicare health plans in their area and get answers to their Medicare questions. They can learn how to lower their health care costs as well as how to stay healthy.
