Medicare changes require critical decision

To the editor:
    More than 1,200 Medicare beneficiaries living in Aroostook County are receiving notices that they no longer will have insurance coverage through their Medicare Advantage plan after December 31, 2010. These notices are often confusing and quite frequently ignored. If ignored, the consequences are costly and, in some cases, life-threatening. People losing Medicare Advantage plan coverage must take action to assure they have medical and prescription drug coverage during the annual open enrollment period which is Nov. 15-Dec. 31. Failure to get new coverage before December 31 in most cases means no prescription drug coverage for all of 2011.
    In 2010 there are 39 different Medicare Advantage plans available to those on Medicare. 29 of these plans are withdrawing from Maine effective Jan. 1, 2011. It is the people who are on one of these withdrawn plans that are at great risk. The prescription drug coverage they have under their current plan expires on Dec. 31 and they must be enrolled in a new plan for 2011 by Dec. 31.
    The Aroostook Agency on Aging will provide more information on Medicare changes happening in 2011 and especially help people understand whether they are affected by Medicare Advantage policy cancellations. To learn more attend a free public session Monday, Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the Shriner’s Building south of Presque Isle on U.S. Rt.1. This information session is being held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the agency on aging and also includes an informational session on Medicaid/MaineCare and long-term care decisions presented by elder law attorney Martha Grant.
    To assure enough seating please call 764-3396 or toll free 1-800-439-1789 in advance and let us know you are coming. It really is critical that people losing coverage understand that fact and our experience is that most getting the notice don’t understand. Losing prescription drug coverage and having to go a full year without any coverage is devastating to the wallet. For those unable to purchase life-sustaining medications it could be a life/death situation.
Steve Farnham,
executive director