Ohio Insurance Department to Host Medicare Check-up Days

Do your patients have questions about Medicare Part D plans? The Ohio Department of Insurance is launching a series of Medicare Check-Up Days in each of Ohio's 88 counties. They will be conducted through December 31. The Check-Up Days complement Medicare's annual open enrollment or "coordinated election" period, Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, when people on Medicare can evaluate whether or not to enroll in a Part D Medicare prescription drug plan, determine if they have existing drug coverage, or if they have already enrolled in Part D, switch to another Part D or to a Medicare Advantage plan for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2008. Other topics include financial assistance, Medicare's preventive benefits and managing drug expenses during the Part D coverage, and gaps in coverage. Attendees are encouraged to bring a list of their prescriptions drugs, dosages and preferred pharmacy and information on pension, VA or other medical care benefits they are receiving. For a complete listing of available Part D plans, answers to Medicare questions and assistance in enrolling in prescription drug coverage, your patients may contact OSHIIP at 1-800-686-1578 or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). A listing of OSHIIP`s Check-Up Days is available on the ODI Website at www.ohioinsurance.gov.