Snowe Encourages Seniors to Take Advantage of Medicare Open Enrollment Period
November 26, 2008
U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today urged seniors to carefully review their Medicare Part D drug coverage as the 2009 open enrollment period begins. Beneficiaries have six weeks each year - from November 15 until December 31 - to review prescription drug plan options and make changes to their current coverage.
"During this holiday season, I encourage seniors on Medicare to review their plan’s cost and coverage to determine if it continues to fit their needs and budget," Senator Snowe said. "While seniors who are happy with their coverage are not compelled to make modifications, with many plans raising premiums and changing their terms, I encourage all Medicare beneficiaries to get the assistance they need to assure they have the plan which is best for them - whether they utilize assistance from Medicare or rely on family, friends or senior organizations for help."
To find information regarding the 2009 plans, beneficiaries can call 1-800-MEDICARE or can review options online at www.medicare.gov. Seniors can use the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder and Medicare Options Compare on the website to help review and compare plans.
Senator Snowe has been a longtime advocate for simplifying and improving the process by which Medicare beneficiaries choose their plans. In July, a number of provisions of the Medicare Beneficiary Protection Act sponsored by Senator Snowe were enacted, resulting in seniors realizing greater protection from a number of abusive marketing practices. Senator Snowe has also proposed lengthening the time available each year for beneficiaries to review drug plan coverage, and improving the resources provided to help seniors make plan choices.
"At the end of the year as we face so many other deadlines, it is easy to see how a careful review of coverage can be missed. Every senior should be able get the help they need to select the best coverage, and that is why I have proposed an extension of the annual enrollment period," said Senator Snowe. "It is clear that the timing of the annual enrollment period is ill-advised. The fact is, we have already seen cases this year where the Medicare Plan Finder tool fails to give a beneficiary any plan options whatsoever. That points to a system which remains fraught with problems and must be improved."
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