ENROLLING IN A PLAN

Beneficiaries should be receiving information from plans available in Kansas, as the plans were allowed to begin marketing efforts on October 1, 2005.

In making a decision about a plan, beneficiaries should, at a minimum, do the following:

• Check if their prescription drugs are covered by a plan.
• Find out what pharmacies the various drug plans use in their area to make sure they are convenient.
• Determine if the monthly fees work for them.

General information on the plans available in Kansas is available in the form of "Landscape of Local Plans" documents (for both Medicare Advantage - MA - and stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans - PDP).

Specific information relative to the drugs included on specific plan formularies is available on the Medicare Formulary Finder.

Medicare has also launched its Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder.  This tool will allow beneficiaries to:

• Learn about the new Medicare prescription drug coverage
• Find and compare prescription drug plans that meet their personal needs
• Enroll in the prescription drug plan that they select

Of course, many seniors may not have Internet access or may be unavailable to navigate the Medicare site. Anyone can call Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) at 1-800-860-5260 and receive personal assistance from trained counselors.

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