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RHODE ISLAND SENIOR BEAT
RELEASE: Friday, November 22, 2008
BY: Larry Grimaldi, Chief of Information & Public Relations
NOW IS THE TIME TO ENROLL IN A MEDICARE PART D PLAN
Q. My wife and I are both Medicare beneficiaries. We have had a Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Medicare Part D) since it began in 2006. How can I be sure that we are getting the most value for our premium dollar?
A. You are in luck. The annual open enrollment period for 2009 plans began on November 15 and will end on December 31. For those not enrolled in a Part D plan, this is an excellent opportunity to enroll. The Part D program coverage will begin on January 1, 2009.
For others who are already enrolled, it is a good time to review your plan for cost, coverage and convenience. Perhaps your medication needs have changed. Perhaps you are looking for a better bargain on your premiums. Perhaps you are looking for a pharmacy closer to you that accepts your plan. All of these are excellent reasons to analyze the cost and benefits for your current Part D plan.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in cooperation with the RI Department of Elderly Affairs and The Point will be sponsoring an official Medicare event on Monday, December 8 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 801 Greenwich Avenue in Warwick. The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Trained and certified State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) volunteers will be on hand to offer you a confidential one-to-one counseling on Medicare Part D programs or any other Medicare or health insurance questions.
Bring a listing of your medications and dosages along with a copy of your Medicare and health insurance cards. If you do not have a list, bring your medication bottles or containers to the event. An accurate list of medications is vital to selecting a new plan or keeping your current plan. If you cannot make the event on December 8, you can call THE POINT at 462-4444 to find the SHIP counselor nearest to you. Their web site is www.ThePointRI.org.
You can also call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or go to www.medicare.gov for information and assistance.
In addition to Medicare Part D counseling, there will be flu shots by VNA HealthCare of New England and numerous other health care screenings. The event is free and open to the public.
Senior Journal: The Senior Journal cable television program is devoted to exploring the issues of growing older in Rhode Island through the personal perspectives of seniors.
Programs are produced by senior volunteers and are sponsored by the Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) with the support of COX Communications. Programs are aired on Sundays at 5:00 p.m., Mondays at 7:00 p.m., and Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. over statewide Cox Communications channel 13 and Verizon channel 32.
- From November 23 to December 2, Sargent Rehabilitation Center will be broadcast. Libby Arron of Cranston interviews Joanne Gemma, Director of Development, Thomas Iacono, Audiologist, and Marilyn Sarria of the Sargent Rehabilitation Center.
- From December 7 to December 16, Providence Civic Orchestra will air. Arron interviews Vito Saritelli, Conductor, Frank Iacono, Concert Master and Richard Beliveau, Flutist, for the Providence Civic Orchestra.
- From December 21 to December 29, Rhode Island Housing will be broadcast. Arron interviews Cathleen Paniccia, Director of Home Ownership, and David Harrington, Help Center Manager for Rhode Island Housing.
Questions for Rhode Island Senior Beat may be mailed to the Department of Elderly Affairs, John O. Pastore Center, 74 West Road-2nd floor, Cranston, RI 02920. Questions can also be e-mailed to larry@dea.state.ri.us. For a confidential discussion with a customer service specialist about questions or problems regarding growing older, call DEA at 462-3000. Seniors, families, and caregivers can also call THE POINT resource center at 462-4444.
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