Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Get help with Medicare drug plans
Even if you intend to keep the same plan, changes could mean higher costs.
Some of the estimated 75,000 seniors in Snohomish County who get their medications through a Medicare prescription drug plan could be in for sticker shock as they prepare to sign up for 2009.
Many of these plans are changing next year, with differences in deductibles, out-of-pocket costs and coverage, said Ramonda Sosa, a community outreach manager for Senior Services of Snohomish County.
Even if someone is happy with their current plan, they should check to see what differences, if any, are planned for next year, she said.
"Some folks may say, 'I'll just stick with my plan,' " and not realize premiums have gone up $20, $30 or $40 a month, Sosa said.
Senior Services of Snohomish County is scheduling a series of information sessions to help answer questions about current prescription drug plans and whether a change might provide either better coverage or medications at a better price.
Two of these information sessions are scheduled today from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lynnwood Senior Center, 5800 198th St. SW, and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Multi-Cultural Senior Center, 11627 Airport Road, Everett.
Two more sessions will be 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Everett Senior Center, 3025 Lombard Ave., and 5 to 6 p.m. at the Snohomish Senior Center, 1514 Pine Ave.
The final information session is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Warm Beach Senior Community, 20420 Marine Drive, Stanwood.
Seniors may sign up for a prescription drug plan or change plans starting Saturday. Registration continues until Dec. 31.
Seniors receiving low-income subsidies, paying no monthly premium, will have the 15 prescription drug plans currently available reduced by half next year, Sosa said.
"The main message is take another look," she said. "Don't assume that everything will stay the same, because it's not staying the same."
Those who want help with enrolling in plans have several ways to get assistance.
They can attend a meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Multi-Cultural Senior Center, 11627 Airport Road, Suite F, Everett.
They also can call Senior Services of Snohomish County for an appointment. The office is at 8221 44th Ave. W., Mukilteo. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.
A series of 27 enrollment sessions, where seniors can get help signing up for a prescription drug plan, are being scheduled throughout Snohomish County. Call Senior Information and Assistance for information.
Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
Drug plan information
For more information on question-and-answer sessions on Medicare Part D or on how to get help enrolling in a prescription drug plan, call Senior Information and Assistance at 425-513-1900.
Many of these plans are changing next year, with differences in deductibles, out-of-pocket costs and coverage, said Ramonda Sosa, a community outreach manager for Senior Services of Snohomish County.
Even if someone is happy with their current plan, they should check to see what differences, if any, are planned for next year, she said.
"Some folks may say, 'I'll just stick with my plan,' " and not realize premiums have gone up $20, $30 or $40 a month, Sosa said.
Senior Services of Snohomish County is scheduling a series of information sessions to help answer questions about current prescription drug plans and whether a change might provide either better coverage or medications at a better price.
Two of these information sessions are scheduled today from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lynnwood Senior Center, 5800 198th St. SW, and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Multi-Cultural Senior Center, 11627 Airport Road, Everett.
Two more sessions will be 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Everett Senior Center, 3025 Lombard Ave., and 5 to 6 p.m. at the Snohomish Senior Center, 1514 Pine Ave.
The final information session is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Warm Beach Senior Community, 20420 Marine Drive, Stanwood.
Seniors may sign up for a prescription drug plan or change plans starting Saturday. Registration continues until Dec. 31.
Seniors receiving low-income subsidies, paying no monthly premium, will have the 15 prescription drug plans currently available reduced by half next year, Sosa said.
"The main message is take another look," she said. "Don't assume that everything will stay the same, because it's not staying the same."
Those who want help with enrolling in plans have several ways to get assistance.
They can attend a meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Multi-Cultural Senior Center, 11627 Airport Road, Suite F, Everett.
They also can call Senior Services of Snohomish County for an appointment. The office is at 8221 44th Ave. W., Mukilteo. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.
A series of 27 enrollment sessions, where seniors can get help signing up for a prescription drug plan, are being scheduled throughout Snohomish County. Call Senior Information and Assistance for information.
Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
Drug plan information
For more information on question-and-answer sessions on Medicare Part D or on how to get help enrolling in a prescription drug plan, call Senior Information and Assistance at 425-513-1900.
Story tags »
• Health insurance • Health organizations • Medicines • Preventative medicine • Elderly • MedicareComments
(
