[OPLINLIST] Ohio Insurance Department's OSHIIP Program to Hold Medicare Check-up Days Across State

[Rebecca Hayward]

COLUMBUS - Helping beneficiaries determine what Medicare coverage suits
them best will be a focus of the Ohio Department of Insurance starting
in the fall and running through Dec. 31. The Department is conducting a
series of Medicare Check-Up Days
<http://ohioinsurance.gov/documents/check_up.pdf>  in each of Ohio's 88
counties. 

The Check-Up Days complement Medicare's annual open enrollment or
"coordinated election" period, which starts Nov. 15 and ends Dec. 31.
People on Medicare have several options they can learn about. They can
choose Original Medicare for their health coverage needs and pair it
with a stand-alone Part D plan to get their prescription drug coverage.
They could select a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides
comprehensive health benefits including drug coverage; or they may
determine their existing coverage already meets their health insurance
needs. Drug formularies, provider networks and plan benefits can change
each year, therefore, beneficiaries need to determine if their current
plan will still meet their coverage needs. Medicare coverage secured
through open enrollment will begin Jan. 1, 2009. 

"These events provide a great opportunity for people with Medicare to
learn about their plan options and how to secure the appropriate
coverage," said Mary Jo Hudson, Director of the Ohio Department of
Insurance. "I strongly encourage people to attend one in their area or
call our OSHIIP hotline at 1-800-686-1578 with any questions about
Medicare coverage." 

At each Check-Up Day, the Department's Ohio Senior Health Insurance
Information Program (OSHIIP) representatives will provide information on
recent Medicare changes, explain the different coverage options, run
comparison reports on various plans and advise beneficiaries if they can
coordinate other coverages such as Veterans Administration (VA) along
with that of Part D. For events Nov. 15 and later, OSHIIP can help
beneficiaries enroll in their Medicare coverage of choice. Now in its
16th year, OSHIIP is the state's lead program for Medicare information
and enrollment assistance. 

Other topics include significant savings on prescription drug costs for
those with limited incomes; how to save using retail discount drug
plans; drug company patient assistance programs; Medicare's preventive
benefits and managing expenses during the Part D coverage "doughnut
hole," or gap in coverage. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring a list of their prescriptions drugs,
dosages and preferred pharmacy, as well as any information on pension,
VA or other medical care benefits they are receiving. 

For a complete listing of available Part D and Medicare Advantage plans,
visit www.medicare.gov. Those with Medicare questions and who need
enrollment assistance (starting Nov. 15) can call OSHIIP at
1-800-686-1578 or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). 

A listing of Medicare Check-Up Days is available on the Department's web
site at http://www.ohioinsurance.gov/documents/check_up.pdf.

 

If you would like flyers to distribute at your facilities please contact
OSHIIP Outreach Specialist Becky Hayward at 614-728-1043 or
Rebecca.hayward at ins.state.oh.us.

 

 

 

Becky Hayward

OSHIIP

Outreach Specialist

614-728-1043 direct line

rebecca.hayward at ins.state.oh.us

50 W. Town St - Third Floor - Suite 300

Columbus, Ohio 43215

 

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