Open enrollment for Medicare Part D is just around the corner. Senior’s mailboxes as well as their voicemails can become flooded with information from companies wanting them to switch. Open enrollment runs from Oct. 15—Dec. 7.

“Volunteers In Action (formerly RSVP of Central KS) has trained SHICK counselors who are ready to help you with this process,” said Linn Hogg, Volunteers In Action director. The first appointments available will be Thursday, Oct. 17 and can be scheduled by calling her office at 620-792-1614.

“Senior Health Insurance Counselors of Kansas (SHICK) are Medicare counselors who are trained to sit down with seniors and help them wade through the maze,” Hogg said. They provide non-biased information to help people make an informed decision about what is best for them.

“Our goal,” said Hogg, “is to help you find the lowest out-of-pocket plan available.”

Why should seniors check their coverage?

Medicare Part D will have several changes in 2025, including:

· Annual out-of-pocket cap: For people with Medicare Part D, the annual out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000.

· New benefit design: The Part D benefit structure will be redesigned to include three phases: annual deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic coverage.

· Insulin cost: Insulin will cost $35 per month for each covered prescription.

· Vaccines: Recommended adult vaccines will be available without cost-sharing.

· Low-income subsidy program: The low-income subsidy program will be expanded to include people at 150% of the federal poverty level.

· Coverage Gap Discount Program: The Coverage Gap Discount Program will be discontinued and replaced with the Manufacturer Discount Program.

· Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: This plan will allow enrollees to pay for prescription drugs in capped monthly payments instead of all at once.

· Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration: This voluntary program will test if premium stabilization and revised risk corridors can improve the efficiency of the Medicare Part D program.

Some health insurers may respond to these changes by increasing Part D premiums and co-pays, or by placing additional restrictions on which medications are covered so it is important to make sure you check out your options for next year.

Hogg also wants to encourage seniors in the area to avoid television commercials or mailings that promote health plans with great coverage and added benefits. Many of these plans do not work in rural Kansas. She notes it is better to find a company that is for the state of Kansas.