admin @ Tue, 2005-10-25 15:46
Sometime before Nov. 15, you should receive a booklet from Medicare with a list of private plans offered in your area. If you have a Medigap policy or retiree health benefits, you should also get a letter from your employer or insurer explaining your options when the Medicare drug benefit starts. You can do your own research on the plans by going to Medicare's Web site at medicare.gov or by calling (800) MEDICARE.
Check to see if drugs that you take - especially your most expensive drugs - are covered by the plans offered in your area. Compare the price for each of your prescriptions. Check to see if your local pharmacy is in the plan's network. And, of course, compare monthly premiums.
You can begin enrolling on Nov. 15 and you have until May 15 to enroll in a plan for 2006. After May 15, you will have to wait until November 2006 to sign up for drug coverage for 2007.
Coverage begins Jan. 1, 2006, if you sign up for a Medicare drug plan on or before Dec. 31. If you sign up between Jan. 1 and May 15, your coverage will begin on the first of the month following your sign-up date. If you don't sign up by May 15, you will have to wait until 2007.
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