BACOA offers Medicare Part D consultation

The Barrington Area Council on Aging is now scheduling Medicare Part D consultation appointments from Tuesday, Oct. 15, through Friday, Dec. 6.

The annual open enrollment period for Medicare begins Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. Enrollees can switch their Medicare Part D plan or enroll in a plan for the first time.

If you are currently in a Medicare Part D plan, the company is required to send an “Annual Notice of Change” to all of its members. This package has information about the upcoming changes each plan has in store for 2014. Among the things that enrollees should look for:

타 How much will the premium be in 2014?

타 How much will the deductible be in 2014?

타 Are the enrollee’s drugs still covered by the plan or has it changed tiers? The plan may have certain restrictions in 2014 that it may not have had in 2013.

타 Has overall cost changed?

If enrollees are satisfied with the changes to their current plan and feel that the plan fits their needs, they do not have to do anything; the plan will automatically renew Jan. 1.

For those who want to enroll, review or change their plan, call BACOA at (847) 381-5030 to schedule a consultation appointment.

The Barrington Area Council on Aging, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization. Its mission is to serve seniors, family caregivers and the community. Visit www.bacoa.org.