This blog is written by Mr. Steven C. Schurr, Esq. and focuses on health care law matters that pertain to food and drug law, regulatory compliance, privacy rights, insurance coverage, state and federal disability coverage, patient advocacy issues, and mental health coverage and treatment.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Enrollment for Medicare Drug Plan Begins November 15, 2008

Starting today, seniors can enroll in a new or different Medicare drug plan for 2009.

Even if you are already enrolled, please review your options since several popular plans are raising monthly premiums or changing benefits. Do not assume that your plan will be the same in the following year. By now, you should have received an "annual notice of change" package of materials telling you the changes in your plan that go into effect in the next year.


To be on safe side, the Medicare Rights Center advises seniors to call their plans and check if their medications are covered. Be sure to make a list of all your drugs and the dosages prescribed in advance.

Also, you'll want to ask about drug co-payments, the pharmacies in the plan network, and if the plan has placed any restrictions on the medications you use.

For an overview of the Medicare drug benefit, the different types of plans available and questions you might want to consider, go to http://www.medicareinteractive.org/. You can compare how your plan stacks up against others by going to the Medicare Drug Plan finder at http://www.medicare.gov/ or calling 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227).

Remember, if you don't have much money, you might qualify for financial subsidies from the government to cover drug expenses.

Please contact me if I can help or if you have any questions.

Steve