Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach reminds Medicare beneficiaries and persons newly eligible for Medicare, are advised that the open enrollment period deadline for Medicare Part D is Dec. 7. Medicare beneficiaries are able to join or drop their prescription drug plan by the scheduled deadline, according to a press release from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) offers prescription drug coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries, with some exceptions. Beneficiaries with employer or union health coverage do not need to enroll in a prescription drug plan. Joining the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan may result in a loss of union or employer health coverage.
To receive Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare beneficiaries are required to join a plan provided by a private insurance company approved by Medicare. Each year the plan sets the cost and determines which prescription drugs are covered.
In preparation for open enrollment, beneficiaries are encouraged to review their current Medicare coverage to ensure that the plan adequately meets their needs in terms of cost, coverage and convenience. Individuals satisfied with their current plan do not have to re-enroll. Persons not participating in this year’s open enrollment period will have to wait until next year to make any changes to their coverage.
For additional information, contact the VI SHIP/Medicare office on St. Thomas at the Nisky Center at 774-7166 or on St. Croix at Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center at 778-6311, ext. 3110. Beneficiaries may also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
