Medicare Open Enrollment…

    ….  time has come again for all of those Medicare recipients who wish to make changes with their coverage options for 2012. Enrollees even get an earlier start than previous years, with the current enrollment period to begin on October 15 and closing on December 7, which is also earlier than in the past.

   Those who wish to change plans can shop around right now as they hit the market on October 1. You can compare those plans at medicare.gov/find-a-plan or you can do it the old fashioned way by calling 1.800.MEDICARE.

   So, what about the cost this year? Medicare Advantage plans are expecting premiums to be 4% lower than last year, with the same level of coverage according to the Dept. of Health and Human Services.

   For original Medicare Part B, you will have to wait until later this fall to hear about any increases.

    Part D prescription-drug coverage premiums are expected to stay in the area of $30 a month, but there is a catch to this as generic drugs prices discounts are going up from 7% to 14% once you reach the coverage gap known as the “ doughnut hole.”

   Changes are mandated by the Affordable Care Act, so thank your President for this.

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