The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has urged older Pennsylvanians and other Medicare beneficiaries to attend local enrollment meetings designed to help them choose a federal Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
John Michael Hall, Pennsylvania's acting Secretary of Aging, said meetings would be held across the state.
"I strongly encourage all Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the help that is available through APPRISE counselors who will help them understand the various options and determine what is best for their needs," said Hall.
Pennsylvania's APPRISE program offers free, unbiased health insurance counseling to Pennsylvania Medicare beneficiaries.
Hall stressed that, when choosing a Medicare drug plan for the first time or switching to a different one, seniors should compare Part D plans carefully to determine which best suits their specific needs.
He noted that many Medicare beneficiaries don't compare their current prescription costs to those of other Medicare drug plans and fail to factor in premiums, deductibles and co-payments. Some Medicare beneficiaries also take medications that may not be covered on a plan's formulary.
Pennsylvania's Department of Aging is cosponsoring the statewide meetings with 52 local Area Agencies on Aging. Volunteers from the department's APPRISE program will lead the meetings.
Counselors will offer assistance in completing a Medicare Part D plan comparison based on individual prescription needs, and will help explain the various costs involved in the Medicare Drug Plans in a specific area. Hall said APPRISE would also assist seniors in on-line enrollments.
The open enrollment period for Medicare Part D ends Dec. 31.