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By Cheryl Powell
Beacon Journal medical writer
Published on Sunday, Nov 09, 2008
Need help navigating the choices for Medicare's optional prescription drug and managed-care plans in 2009?
There are several places to turn.
Have your Medicare ID number, a complete list of current prescription medicines and their doses available.
The list:
Medicare
The Medicare program provides personalized help by calling 800-633-4227.
Anyone with computer access can do the research on their own (or get a computer-savvy loved one to do it for them) by visiting the Medicare Web site at http://www.medicare.gov.
To begin a personalized search to find the plan that's estimated to be the cheapest, click on ''Medicare Prescription Drug Plans-2009 Plan Data'' to compare plans that cover just prescription medicines or ''Medicare Health Plans-2009 Plan data'' to compare managed-care plans, some of which also cover prescription drugs.
Area Agency on Aging
The Greater Akron/Canton Area Agency on Aging is hosting several ''Medicare Made Simple'' events to help Medicare participants review their coverage options for 2009:
• Tuesday — At the Sheraton Suites, 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls.
• Wednesday — At the American Legion Hall, 1945 Mogadore Road, Kent.
• Thursday — At Fisher Auditorium, 680 Madison Ave., Wooster.
• Nov. 21 — At the Hartville Kitchen, 1015 Edison St., Hartville.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m., and the programs begin an hour later. Participants will receive one-on-one consultation with Medicare experts.
Cost is $5 per event, including lunch. Call 800-421-7277, Ext. 5255, for registration or information.
The agency also provides help 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to people who call 800-421-7277 and ask for the Aging Resource Center.
OSHIIP
The Ohio Department of Insurance's Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program is offering free help during ''Medicare Check-Up Days'' in every county statewide.
Remaining events in the Akron area include:
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Twinsburg Public Library, 10050 Ravenna Road.
• 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Wadsworth Center for Older Adults, 138 High St.
In addition, OSHIIP provides personalized help 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 800-686-1578. The OSHIIP hot line also will be staffed next weekend — from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and next Sunday — to answer questions when open enrollment begins.
Social Security
People with limited income can qualify for drug coverage for free or with reduced monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs.
To qualify, Medicare enrollees' combined savings, investments and real estate must be worth less than $23,970 for those who are married and living with their spouse or $11,990 for those who are unmarried or not living with their spouse. (The eligibility requirements don't include the value of the home where people live, their personal possessions, burial plots or irrevocable burial contracts.)
For information, contact the U.S. Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Need help navigating the choices for Medicare's optional prescription drug and managed-care plans in 2009?
Get the full article here.
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