As is often the case in Western Washington, the whole is equal to the sum of its parts. In this case, the “whole” of Medicare is equal to Part A + Part B + Part C + Part D. (Well, OK, + supplement plans + a few other entertaining nuances, but let’s focus on the main “parts” here.)
For today, let’s focus on Part D, which we can decide stands for “drugs” — specifically, prescription drugs.
Monday is Oct.15 — the opening day of Part D open enrollment. (Yes, it is called a few other things, but most of us say “open enrollment.”) This period will continue through Dec. 7, which also is Pearl Harbor Day. The symbolism is obvious.
While many of us know this all too well, some Medicare newbies might be easily distracted by trivialities such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, midterm elections (the symbolism is obvious); so let’s walk through this again and give you some info on available help, if help is desired.
Part D plans cover our prescription drug costs under Medicare, more or less. They are independent plans (meaning they are owned and administered by insurance companies), which we pay a premium for. Every year, between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, we have an opportunity to switch to a different Part D plan, if we want to.
Now, why would we want to?
We might want to because (a) premium costs can change, and (b) formularies change. Formularies are the lists of drugs that any particular plan covers, so you want to be sure the plan you have covers the drugs you’re taking; otherwise … oops! And that’s that for that until Oct. 15, 2019.
Do you have to change Part D plans? No. If you’re perfectly content with the plan you have, and you actually read the stuff they send you and you feel confident that said plan’s formulary will continue to cover what you need to have covered, then you can forget this whole thing and go back to working on your Halloween costume.
If you’re not so sure of all of that, and you worry about things like premiums and formularies, you might want to do a little “shopping.”
So, how does one go shopping?
One goes to Medicare.gov/find-a-plan (or just Medicare.gov and hit the “Drug Coverage” tab at the top), and off you go. You’re going to want to have a list of the prescription drugs and dosages that you’re currently taking, the names of any pharmacies you prefer to use, your Medicare card, your ZIP code and a friendly beverage. You can do this.
You’ll be able to compare plans relatively easily and make whatever choice you want to make. Remember, it’s entirely possible that you could end up sticking with your current plan. If that’s the case, do nothing; your current Part D coverage will roll into 2019 unchanged.
Now, some of us never got past the “One goes to Medicare.gov/find-a-plan…” part for any number of very good reasons, and have wisely concluded: “I need help!” I don’t blame you, and there are a number of ways for you to get that help — at no charge.
You can always call any of the numbers listed at the end of this column, and decent people will help you, either over the phone or arrange for in-person assistance. If you happen to reside in Grays Harbor County, here are some additional options for face-to-face, one-on-one help. Just pack up everything I mentioned above (with the possible exception of your “friendly beverage”) and show up at any of these places:
• The North Beach Resource Center, 557 Pt. Brown Ave. SW in Ocean Shores, any Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• The Hoquiam Senior Center, 707 Simpson Ave., on the fourth Thursday of the month between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• The Aberdeen Senior Center, 208 W. Market St., on the fourth Tuesday of the month between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• The Elma Senior Center, 100 W. Main St., on the third Thursday of the month between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• The Oakville congregate nutrition site, located inside the Oakville United Methodist Church at 204 E. Harris Ave., on the first Thursday of the month between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• The Westport Senior House, 114 W. Pacific Ave., on the fourth Wednesday of the month between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
That’s it. It’s free. No one will try to sell you anything, because we don’t have anything to sell.
Please remember that these are “first come, first served” events, so be prepared to be patient — and be prepared to be helped, by smart, decent people.
Please don’t wait until Dec. 7 to do this, if you’re going to do it!
And please remember that the people helping you did not invent Medicare Part D! If they had, it would be a lot simpler than this.
You can do this.
Mark Harvey is the director of information and assistance for the Olympic Area Agency on Aging. He can be reached by email at harvemb@dshs.wa.gov; by phone at 360-532-0520 in Aberdeen, 360-942-2177 in Raymond, or 360-642-3634; or through Facebook at Olympic Area Agency on Aging-Information & Assistance.
