On Sounds Good, Purchase Area Development District’s Aging Coordinator Susan Caldwell Black speaks with Tracy Ross on the importance of reviewing your Medicare options before you become eligible at the age of 65.
Black coordinates the State Health Insurance Program for the Area Agency for Aging and Independent living which helps people navigate Medicare options. Black is working to raise awareness about the need to review these options before turning 65, emphasizing prescription drug plans in particular.
Black says 35,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the Jackson Purchase but only 162 of them contacted her to review their prescription drug plans during the last open enrollment period.“57 of those people were able to save [a combined] $133,152…. That’s an average savings of $2,336,” Black said. “The smallest savings was $16.24. That person was happy. But the person who had the biggest smile on his face was a gentleman I signed up to change plans and he walked away knowing he was going to save $14,038 during a year. And when you’re on a fixed income, that can really account to big, huge savings.”
Black says not everyone who reviews their plan will want to change, but many find that different drug plans offer better coverage of certain prescriptions.
The open enrollment period for this year is over, but you can still contact the SHIP program to see if switching plans next open enrollment could be beneficial. Some low-income people are able to change their drug plans at any time if they have been approved by Social Services to get extra help with their plans.
For more information on Medicare and drug plan options, Susan Caldwell Black is available by calling 270-247-7171, or toll-free 1-800-866-4213.
