The annual open enrollment period is the time when beneficiaries may switch drug plans.  Each year Medicare recipients are faced with new questions about plan premium costs, drug costs, and drug coverage.  While there are several good sources of getting information, recipients need to beware of the few bad apples who want to take advantage of them.  Consider the following. 

DO's

• Do keep your personal information like your Medicare card and ID number safe.
• Do report all instances of suspected fraud and identity theft.
• Do ask questions to learn about the Medicare drug plans you are interested in.
• Do call 1-877-SAFERX (1-877-772-3379) if a Medicare drug plan appears to break the rules.
• Do call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to verify that a plan is legitimate. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

DON'Ts

• Don't let anyone borrow or pay to use your ID cards or your identity.
• Don't join a plan over the telephone unless you called the plan.
• Don't invite any door-to-door sales people into your home to talk to you about a Medicare drug plan.
• Don't send payment for a Medicare drug plan over the telephone or Internet.
• Don't respond to anyone or any material that breaks Medicare rules.

Quite simply, it is advisable is to consult with someone whom you trust.  If you have access to the internet, you can compare drug plans at www.cms.hhs.gov.  Since pharmacists have day to day experience with drug plans they are a good choice for helping you evaluate your options.

At Clinic Pharmacy, we welcome your questions.  Our pharmacists, Mike Keller and Brad Boone will be available to help you find answers to your questions.

phone 270 988-3230