Get help comparing Medicare Part D plans

Time is fast approaching to compare Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans for next year. 

Anyone enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan has the opportunity to change their plan from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

Again this year, Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteers and Nebraska extension educators have teamed up to provide free, unbiased counseling information and enrollment for people receiving Medicare. 

There are three ways to complete a personalized comparison.

• Get one-on-one help from the Nebraska SHIIP by calling their toll-free hotline at 1-800-234-7119 or call Nebraska Extension in Perkins County at 308-352-4340 to make an appointment at the Nebraska Extension Office in Grant on Oct. 17 or Nov. 14.

• Visit www.medicare.gov to compare current coverage with all available options in the area.

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, seven days a week to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

“Health needs change from year to year, and the 2018 Part D plans have changed their benefits and costs for 2018, too. That’s why it’s important to evaluate your Medicare prescription plan choices every year,” said Nancy Frecks, Nebraska extension educator and SHIIP volunteer. 

Each plan covers different prescriptions so the cheapest premium isn’t the best for every person. The only way to know for sure is to use the medicare.gov website to do a personalized comparison. Once the information is personalized a decision can be made based on individual needs and wants. 

To complete a personalized comparison, a list of current medications complete with dose and frequency and a Medicare card are needed.