2014 Medicare Enrollment for Seniors Begins this Week
Seniors who want to change their Medicare health plan and Part D coverage for prescription drugs for 2014 can enroll from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
During that period, they are eligible to move in or out of any type of Medicare coverage they choose. They can also switch to a new health or drug plan or drop their health plan and return to original Medicare. All changes take effect Jan. 1, 2014.
Seniors who want help to select the plan that best suits their needs, should call 914-813-6100 – the year-round Medicare Help Line of Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services.
Information on how to select a new health plan will also be discussed at free Medicare Basics workshops on Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. They will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the eighth floor at the County Office Building, 9 S. First Ave., Mount Vernon. Also call the Help Line to sign up for these sessions.
Even seniors who are satisfied with their current plans should review the mailing they received from their insurance companies with information about changes to that plan for 2014.
For example, it is possible the next year’s plan would have a new monthly premium, new deductibles and new co-payments. Seniors should also check that the 2014 plan will continue to cover their current medications and will continue to work with their pharmacy.
In addition to the county’s Medicare Information Line, free help is also available from the Senior Benefits Information Centers (SBICs) that are sponsored by the Westchester Library System and the Medicare Rights Center.
Medicare-trained counselors provide one-on-one counseling at the SBICs at the eight libraries listed below. They can also tell seniors how to get help paying for medications and the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Seniors who sign up for Medicare Advantage can cancel their enrollment next year between Jan. 1 and Feb. 14.
SBICs are located at these libraries. There is no need to call for an appointment. Counselors will be available at the dates and times below. For more information, call the SBIC Helpline at 914-231-3260.
Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 Main St., Mount Kisco Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Warner Library, 121 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Thursdays, 11 a.m.– 3 p.m.
John C. Hart Memorioal Library, 1130 Main St., Shrub Oak, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill, Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle, Fridays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Greenburgh Public Library, 300 Tarrytown Road, Elmsford, Mondays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, 1 Haseco Ave., Port Chester, Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Seniors can also find help at the federal government’s Medicare site at www.medicare.gov or its helpline at 800-633-4227.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.