BeeHealthy
Seniors can still enroll in prescription drug plan

Medicare-eligible seniors are just a few weeks from the deadline to enroll in a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for 2007.

Seniors have until Dec. 31 to change a drug plan to get coverage for the first time. Federal Medicare officials suggest that seniors who are ready to make a decision do so early to avoid problems getting coverage in January. Seniors who are happy with their Part D plans don’t have to do anything.

Beneficiaries should be aware of several Part D changes, including an increase in the number of Part D options available in 2007.

The number of Medicare Advantage plans with drug and medical coverage in Western New York is increasing to 18, according to the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder at http:// www. medicare. gov.

So far, seniors appear to be having an easier time with Part D selection during the current open enrollment period, since many of them have been through the Part D selection process before.

“A lot of people are staying put,” said Peggy Kahn, Medicare marketing director for Univera Healthcare. “They went through a lot of stress last year and many seniors are happy with the plans they picked.”

About three in four Part D enrollees nationally said they are satisfied with their plans and expect to keep the same plans in 2007, according to a Wall Street Online/Harris Interactive health care poll released earlier this month.

Univera Healthcare offers two Medicare Advantage plans with medical and drug coverage to meet seniors’ different prescription needs: SeniorChoice Secure at $45 per month and Univera Medicare PPO Plan 102 at $60 per month.

For more information, seniors can call 1-800-659-1986.