Medicare open enrollment ends December 7

Don’t miss the Medicare annual open enrollment period for Part D drug plans which runs through December 7. Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon has SHIIP counselor Russ Hagen available by appointment to discuss Medicare Part D plans available for 2019 and Medicare Advantage.

Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule an appointment and those enrolling need to bring their Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of medications from their pharmacy which includes drug name, quantity and dosage.

This SHIIP volunteer is available throughout the year at Veterans Memorial Hospital. To make an appointment with a SHIIP volunteer, call the hospital at 563-568-3411.

Those interested can also go to www.medicare.gov and do a comparison of 2019 Medicare drug plans. SHIIP has step-by-step instructions for doing a comparison of plans on its website, www.therightcalliowa.gov. Go to the “Find Health & Drug Plans” section.

SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa Insurance Division with counselors available across the state to help compare Medicare drug plans. For the nearest SHIIP site, call 1-800-351-4664 (TTY 1-800-735-2942) or go to www.therightcalliowa.gov.

Those choosing to change plans or enroll in a plan if they missed an earlier deadline must enroll in the new plan by December 7, 2018.