Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson is reminding Medicare
beneficiaries that the open enrollment or "annual coordinated election" period
for 2010 Medicare coverage, which started on November 15, ends at midnight on
December 31. The Department — through its Ohio Senior Health Insurance
Information Program (OSHIIP) — is urging beneficiaries to call the OSHIIP
hotline at 1-800-686-1578 and 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4277) for plan and
enrollment help. Coverage will begin January 1.
"This is the time for beneficiaries to assure they select a plan that best
fits their needs in the upcoming year," Director Hudson said. "The Department's
OSHIIP Medicare experts can help beneficiaries understand the different coverage
options, run plan comparison reports and provide enrollment assistance."
During the Medicare open enrollment period people on Medicare can select one
of several coverage options: Original Medicare; original Medicare with a
Medicare Supplement and/or with a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan; a
Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits including
drug coverage; or determine if their current coverage is still the best choice
for 2010.
For a complete listing of available Medicare Advantage and Part D plans,
visit www.medicare.gov. Those with
Medicare questions and those who need enrollment assistance and/or information
about financial assistance programs can call OSHIIP at 1-800-686-1578 Monday
through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227), 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.
