Did you know that more than ten thousand people become eligible to enroll in Medicare each day because they turn 65 years old? Learning about the various parts of Medicare can be confusing at best. Factor in the advertisements we are bombarded with on TV and in the mail, it becomes difficult to sort out the best options.
Nine years ago, I saw a need in this area for people trained to assist Medicare recipients who wanted to review their prescription drug plan during open enrollment. As trained SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas) counselors, my husband John, and I can help Medicare recipients take a look at their Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) and hopefully find the most affordable plan. We have several other SHICK counselors serving area residents through the RSVP office, so we hope to be able to keep up with the calls.
The Open Enrollment Period begins October 15th and runs through Dec. 7. Plan costs and coverage change each year, so everyone with Medicare should check to make sure their plan still meets their health needs and budget. If you would like to check out the website for yourself, simply go to Medicare.gov and click on Part D Prescription Drug Plans.
If you are unable to do an internet search, feel free to give me a call at the Extension office. If you call my office at (620)793-1910 I will do my best to schedule a time for you to meet in-person with me or John to review your current prescription drug plan and check on plans available in 2023. We will schedule appointments in both our Great Bend and Hays offices as needed.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, Oct. 12, and join me at noon at the Great Bend Activity Center, 2715 18th Street. I will be sharing an educational program which will review the basic parts of Medicare. If you will be turning 65 within the next year, you may want to attend. The program is free and open to everyone. John and I will also be on hand to set up appointments to review your prescription drug plan during open enrollment at the Oct. 12 session.
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.
