Are you ready for the fall Medicare Rx Plan enrollment?

Although it’s only August, HICAP, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, wants Medicare beneficiaries to be prepared for the upcoming fall annual enrollment period for prescription drug plans that officially runs from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.  

HICAP, a program of the Area 1 Agency on Aging serving Humboldt and Del Norte counties, will offer workshops about the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan choices and how to navigate the Medicare Web site at two workshops on Sept. 29 and Oct. 27 at the Community Wellness Center, 550 E. Washington Blvd.

The first workshop, covering Medicare Prescription Drug Plan changes for 2010, will be from 4-5 p.m., and the second workshop will focus on how to use the online Medicare Drug Plan Finder program to compare and make changes to enrollment. People can choose to attend one or both workshops.  The workshops are free and no registration is required.

By mid-October, insurance plan information is made available by Medicare through its  Web site at www.medicare.gov. This year there were over 50 plans to choose from. “Although a current prescription drug plan may be working fine, it is important to review the changes for 2010,” says Martha Johnson, HICAP program manager.

HICAP counselors are available to assist with comparing plans and coverage for specific drugs, explaining benefits and overall costs, and assisting with enrollment changes. They will  also share information about programs to help pay for Medicare costs.

“HICAP recommends people make appointments for prescription drug plan reviews for mid-October through mid-December.

Appointment times are limited, so please call early,” advises Johnson.

 For more information call HICAP in Humboldt County at 444-3000 or in Del Norte County at 464-7678.