Medicare Stand-Alone Rx Plan enrollment through December, Insurance Commissioner Donelon says

Medicare Stand-Alone Rx Plan enrollment through December,
Insurance Commissioner Donelon says

Released: October 26, 2006

The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) staff at the Department of Insurance is now available to help Louisiana Medicare beneficiaries enroll in one of a large number of Louisiana Medicare Stand-Alone Rx plans available in 2007. Beneficiaries who have not already enrolled in a Medicare Prescription drug plan or who wish to change plans may do so between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31. Beneficiaries are encouraged to enroll or make changes in the present coverage by December 8 to ensure that they will be able to get their prescription on January 1, according to Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon.

One notable exception to the limited Nov. 15-Dec. 31 enrollment period applies to Louisiana seniors living in certain hurricane-impacted parishes as designated by CMS. Eligible people in those parishes may continue to enroll in a Medicare Rx plan at any time until further notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The CMS 2007 plan comparison information is now available for viewing at www.medicare.gov. The SHIIP staff at the Department of Insurance is on standby to assist beneficiaries who do not have access to a computer or who need help when comparing prescription plans or choosing one for the first time.

To take advantage of SHIIP’s free service, call the nationwide, toll-free number, 1-800-259-5301.

“You need to start thinking about your choices early if you are enrolling in the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan for the first time or if you want to consider changing plans,” SHIIP Director Alan Heumann said. To view all your plan options, go to the Department of Insurance Web site, www.ldi.state.la.us, and click on “2007 Louisiana Stand-Alone Medicare Rx Plans.” Changing plans could include moving to or from a Medicare Advantage plan.

“December is no time to get involved in a rush to make major health care decisions,” Donelon said. “Avoid the frantic holiday pace by letting SHIIP counselors help you make an early decision about your 2007 Medicare prescription drug coverage.”