The Acting Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Leslie Norwalk, Esq., visited Riderwood, a community built and managed by Erickson in Silver Spring, Md., on November 13 to discuss the Medicare Part D drug plan for 2007.

Held just two days before Medicare’s open enrollment period for 2007 – running November 15 through December 31 – the audience was reminded that this is the only time to enroll or make changes to a Medicare plan for 2007.

“It’s always important to check and make sure the plan you are enrolled in covers the drugs that you need. Now that more plans offer even more prescriptions, and more drugs that are covered, that’s really good news for Medicare beneficiaries,” says Norwalk.

People who do not want to make changes to their existing Medicare plan can do nothing and will be automatically re-enrolled. However, “Be sure the plan you had in 2006 makes sense for 2007,” says Norwalk.

For people who want to change their Medicare plan, “There are a few things that Medicare beneficiaries need to consider when deciding if a plan is right for them,” says Norwalk.  These things are cost, coverage, convenience, and customer service. 

Norwalk also answered specific questions about coverage gaps, people with limited income, and specific drugs covered by the Part D program.

This event was the first in a series of community forums on topical issues for Americans ages 55 and older, televised by Retirement Living TV. The program aired on December 1, 2006 at 2:00 pm on Retirement Living TV, channel CN8 (served by Comcast Mid-Atlantic and New England).

Help with Part D
To talk to someone one-on-one about your Medicare plan, “Call 1-800-MEDICARE, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” says Norwalk. You can also contact the National Council on Aging, a local Area on Aging, or a State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) to talk to someone in person, she says.