The Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan program offers plan members the ability to make changes in their coverage each year during the annual election period. Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31, Medicare recipients can make changes to their Medicare health or Part D coverage. It is during this period a beneficiary should review all 2011 plan options. SHIIP can provide unbiased information and comparisons of the 2011 Medicare Part D prescription coverage options.

Medicare prescription coverage may be obtained in a stand-alone Part D plan or as part of a Medicare Health Plan. Information on the Part D plans and Medicare Health Plans to be offered in North Carolina in 2011 are available at www.medicare.gov or from the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) now, www.ncshiip.com.

A beneficiary should not assume that a plan that meets their needs in 2010 will provide the same coverage in 2011 or that it is the best plan for them in 2011. Part D plans contract on a yearly basis with the Medicare program. This allows for changing formulary lists (the prescription medications covered by the plan), restriction and limitation requirements, monthly premium payments, and pharmacy co-payments for any medication each year. SHIIP encourages each Part D participant to compare the coverage offered by their current plan with the coverage that will be offered by all plans available in 2011.

Another item of importance to consider is that many plans offer a mail order pharmacy option that can save money with a 90-day supply of a medication at lower co-payment levels. If this is an option you are interested in, make sure your plan offers a mail order option.

Medicare recipients who have not previously enrolled in a Part D plan are allowed to do so during this period (although they might see a premium penalty if other creditable coverage did not exist). Further, for Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes and limited resources, an Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program is available to reduce or eliminate the monthly premium, annual deductible and to reduce prescription co-payments. SHIIP can help determine one’s eligibility and aid with the application process.

SHIIP is a Division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance and can assist anyone with questions about Medicare Part D coverage information and enrollment. Trained SHIIP counselors are available for one-on-one counseling appointments in all 100 North Carolina counties. For more information, call 1-800-443-9354 or visit www.ncshiip.com.