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Medicare Releases New
List of Approved Part D Drug Plans; Enrollment
Period to Begin
AUSTIN - The annual enrollment
period for Medicare Part D, the prescription
drug coverage program, begins November 15, 2006,
and ends December 31, 2006. The program is
voluntary and can be especially helpful for
people who have high prescription drug costs and
no drug coverage. Coverage for persons enrolling
during the upcoming enrollment period will begin
on January 1, 2007.
People currently enrolled in a Medicare
prescription drug plan should carefully review
their coverage to ensure that it still meets
their needs. Premiums, copayments and the
medications the plan covers may have changed for
2007. If you decide to switch plans, you will
need to enroll in a new plan during the November
15-December 31, 2006, enrollment period. If you
decide that you want to keep your current plan,
you do not have to re-enroll.
Medicare has released a list of approved plans
for 2007. Additional plans are expected to be
added to the list prior to the beginning of the
enrollment period. The best way to review and
compare plans is to use the Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan Finder available on the
Medicare web site at www.medicare.gov.
Some people may find that their current plan has
decided to discontinue services. If that is the
case, they will have to select a new plan to
maintain their prescription drug coverage, and
must enroll in a new plan between November 15,
2006, and December 31, 2006. Consumers should
watch their mail for information about any
changes. If a plan decides to discontinue
services, it must notify its customers and
outline all the available options. These notices
are expected to be mailed during October.
Consumers can get free personalized help at
1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227). Services are
available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
In Texas, consumers also can call 1-800-252-9240
and ask to speak with a local benefits counselor
in their area. Benefits counselors can provide
one-on-one assistance in enrolling in a Medicare
prescription drug plan.
Agents and companies who use high-pressure
tactics or make misleading statements in order
to sell insurance may be violating Medicare and
Texas insurance rules. Consumers should document
what happened and file a complaint with the
plan, 1-800-Medicare, or the Texas Department of
Insurance (TDI) at 1-800-252-3439. Also, no one
from Medicare will call you. Medicare advises
consumers to not give their Social Security
numbers or bank account information to any
callers. If you believe you have been the victim
of insurance fraud, or attempted fraud, call
TDI's Fraud Hot Line, 1-888-327-8818.
For more information contact: PIO@tdi.state.tx.us
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