Time To Sign Up For Medicare Part D

F

rom now until Dec. 31, Medicare
Part D is offering an "open-
enrollment" period, meaning that
seniors can change their prescription drug
coverage to pick a new plan that better
meets their needs.
Seniors should
jump at this once-
a-year opportunity.
Instead of being
forced into a one-
size-fits-all plan run
by the government,
Part D participants
can choose among
a variety of private
insurance plans,
custom tailoring
their coverage to
their particular
drug needs.
Since companies
have to compete for the premium dollars
of millions of Part D participants, they're

delivering increasingly attractive offer-
ings. Beneficiaries are seeing a broader
selection of drugs, lower prices and more
generous benefits.
Indeed, the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that
the average monthly premium for stan-
dard Part D coverage in 2009 will be $28,
only $3 higher
than last year,
and a whop-
ping 37 percent
lower than the
$44.12 monthly
premium pro-
jected for 2009
when Part D
was launched.
The prospect
of substantial
cost savings is another big reason why
savvy seniors should sign up for Part D.
"Until I enrolled in Medicare Part D I paid
more than $4,000 a year just in premi-

ums," says Joan Wells of East Aurora, N.Y.
"Now I only pay about $300 a year for
coverage."
You don't have to be a rocket scientist
to pick the right plan. Simply make a
list of all your current prescriptions and
dosages. Then visit Plan Finder, an easy-
to-use, interactive comparison tool at
Medicare.gov.
Once you enter
your infor-
mation, Plan
Finder kicks
out a list of all
the appropriate
plans and their
costs in your
area.
This year,
the CMS Plan
Finder has a valuable new feature that can
help you save even more on drugs by com-
paring the cost of filling your prescrip-
tions by mail versus buying directly from

The prospect of substantial
cost savings is big reason
why savvy seniors should
sign up for Part D.

a local retail pharmacy.
According to a recent poll, nearly nine in
10 seniors covered by the Medicare drug
benefit are satisfied with the program. In
the coming weeks, seniors should take
advantage of the open enrollment period
and sign up or switch to a new plan that
better meets their needs.
Seniors should also pay attention to
any effort Congress makes to take those
choices away. Many lawmakers are push-
ing for a redesign of Part D, as they'd
like to turn it into a more traditional
government program with just a single,
price-controlled plan.
By taking the opposite approach,
Medicare Part D leverages market forces
to create competition, leading to lower
prices, better service and more choices.
And choice is what better health is all
about. ❑

Robert Goldberg is vice president of the Center
for Medicine in the Public Interest, New York.

THIS YEAR I RESOLVE...

7'

1

, To say"bye-bye"to
, frown and smile
, _
lines • ,
, , -
___---

Now offering ...

Doctor supervised
wellness program
using Metagenics
Herbal Supplements!

2

Even out my skin \\
texture and tone! ,

Radiance Medspa
welcomes
Suzanne Briggs

Sandra Finkelstein
formerly of
Truth Medspa.

3

Stop shaving
for GOOD!

radiance

rnedspa

j i

4

Love the way you look

N

( Give my lips a pout ;

373 S Old Woodward Ave
Birmingham, MI 48009

He will die for!

248-723-7188 • 877-SPA-BIRM

■

radiancebirmingham.com
Medical Director: Dr. Gina Gora-Dworkin

Free Parking

Laser Hair Removal • IPL Rejuvenation • Chemical Peels • BOTOX • Juvederm • Restylane • Microdermabrasion • European Facial • Massage • Manicure • Pedicure

1450810

December 25 • 2008

B5

