Medicare

Mary Loftis, a Regional State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Counselor sent out a statement that Medicare recipients should be receiving their Annual Notice of Change from their current Medicare Prescription or Advantage Plan.

This notice will update you on any plan premium changes, deductible increases and Out of Pocket cost limits. It will also give you some information about any changes in the co-pay amounts compared to last year, however, you won’t learn what your prescriptions will cost from this Annual Notice of Change or which pharmacy has the best prices for your prescription needs this year.

The only way you can figure this out is by going online to the medicare.gov website after October 15 or by calling for a free appointment with a SHIP counselor. A SHIP Counselor can give you an unbiased and confidential comparison of your current plan to any of the other plans offered, along with the drug prices at whatever pharmacies you want to consider.

It’s always your choice. Just because your current plan has worked well for you this year, that doesn't mean it’s your best value for next year. SHIP Counselors are able to start taking appointments now.

To make an appointment with a SHIP counselor between October 15 and December 7 at one of the available locations in Burt, Dodge and Washington counties, call the Washington County Extension Office at 402.380.9554 or the Nebraska SHIP hotline at 1.800.234.7119. Please leave a message if no one is available when you call.