Enrollment for Medicare is underway

By Lisa Daniels Sacramento

During this holiday season, you can give the gift of assistance to those you love with Medicare coverage. Everyone on Medicare is now eligible to change their plan or keep their existing coverage during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Season, going on now until December 31st. “Open enrollment is the time people with Medicare have the chance to look over their current coverage and make adjustments to their Medicare health and drug plans,” said Medicare Spokesperson Jack Cheevers. “If they are satisfied with their plan’s cost and coverage for next year, they do not have to do anything. If they want to look at other options, there are many ways to get personalized help. There’s also a program that will even help pay for the cost of prescription drugs, if they qualify.” African Americans make up 10 percent of Medicare recipients. African Americans have the highest self-reported rates of chronic disease than any other ethnic group on Medicare, so preventive care is essential to managing and reducing chronic illnesses. “Being with family members during the holiday season is a great opportunity to initiate discussion about their health and enrolling or changing their Medicare coverage,” said Dr. James R. Farris, M.D., Regional Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “We need to have Medicare recipients utilize preventative services, like getting flu shots, during this time of the year.” Actor Sherman Hemsley (“The Jeffersons,” “The Surreal Life”) is this year’s spokesperson for the 2006 Medicare Open Enrollment. “Believe it or not, I am 68 years old, and this is a great program for people my age. I am honored to be asked to be the celebrity spokesperson.” “I encourage everyone to take advantage of Medicare's Open Enrollment Season,” adds Hemsley. Medicare will join local faith-based partners to host local “Check-Up Season” events in houses of worship across the nation. These events will provide information on resources available to help the community. There are also volunteers to help Medicare recipients review their benefits and current health care needs that are right for them. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing beneficiaries, their friends and families, with personalized service through local events. The “My Health, My Medicare” Mobile Office Tour is visiting cities all across the country now to assist people in reviewing their coverage, understanding and comparing their plan options, enrolling and answering their Medicare questions in person. Many of the stops are in African American communities. For more information about Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, call 1- 800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Make sure you help someone enroll as soon as possible, to avoid any inconvenience at your pharmacy counter in January. Open Enrollment ends December 31, 2006.