Seniors in Iowa and across the country have until the end of the month to make changes or sign up for the Medicare prescription drug program. A fall open enrollment period began November fifteenth and runs through December 31st. During this time, seniors can make changes to their drug coverage plans with no penalty.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Regional Administrator Tom Lenz says some prescription plans have actually improved coverage or lowered premiums, in response to competition between plans:
Lens says right now it?s important for beneficiaries to take the opportunity to compare their existing coverage, the cost of that coverage, and then look at the customer service they?re getting from their plans to see whether it?s really the plan they want to be with. Seniors who have not yet signed up for the program also can enroll during this time.
However, they will have to pay a small penalty for not signing up during the initial enrollment period that ended in May. Seniors just becoming old enough to qualify have three months before and after their 65th birthdays to enroll in the program without a penalty.