Need Help with Medicare Part D?

Get Free Assistance Comparing Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Medicare Open Enrollment is Nov. 15 – Dec. 31, 2008

Each year plans adjust what they cost and what they cover. Now is the time for people with Medicare to review the changes being made by their current plan and compare it to others to make sure it still meets their needs. Those who don't have prescription drug coverage can also enroll in a drug plan during open enrollment.

Some beneficiaries may see significant premium increases or changes – such as reduced coverage in the gap – if they stay in the same prescription drug plan in 2009. Medicare encourages individual beneficiaries to review how their plans are changing and what other options are available.

There are four ways to review and compare plans:

  1. 1. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048). 24 hour help is available from trained Medicare representatives.
  2. 2. Visit www.medicare.gov. Compare costs, coverage and more. Get an estimate of your out‑of‑pocket costs for the year.
  3. 3. See the listing of plans in your Medicare & You handbook and information sent to you by your plan.
  4. 4. Talk with local Medicare experts at the Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line 1-800-333-2433. This toll free number will put you in contact with local Minnesota Medicare experts in your region. Or visit www.minnesotahelp.info for further useful information.
  5. 5. Attend an event in your area to meet one-on-one with counselors.
CityDateTimeLocation
Alexandria Monday, November 17 1:00–4:30pm Alexandria Senior Center
Monday, November 24 10:30am–3:00pm Alexandria Senior Center
Barnesville Tuesday, November 18 10:00am–2:00pm Barnesville Senior Center
501 2nd Ave NE
Battle Lake Thursday, November 13 11:00am–2:00pm Battle Lake Senior Center
209 W. Main St.
Cottonwood Tuesday, November 13 11:00am–2:00pm Cottonwood Senior Dining
40 W 1st St.
Evansville Thursday, December 4 1:00–5:00pm Evansville Senior Center
Thursday, December 11 1:00–5:00pm Evansville Senior Center
Fergus Falls Monday, November 17 Noon–1:00pm YMCA
1164 Friberg Ave.
Garfield Monday, December 8 9:00am–2:00pm Garfield Senior Center
Glyndon Monday, November 17 10:00am–2:00pm Glyndon Senior Center
215 Partridge Ave.
Hutchinson Monday December 8 1:00–4:00pm Southwest Initiative Foundation
15 3rd Ave NW
Kensington Thursday, November 20 1:00–5:00pm Kensington Senior Center
Friday, November 21 1:00–5:00pm Kensington Senior Center
Lake Benton Thursday, December 4 9:30–11:30am Lake Benton Library
110 W Benton St.
Leaf Valley Monday, December 1 1:00–5:00pm Leaf Valley Senior Center
Libertyville Friday, November 21 10:00am–Noon Libertyville Senior Center
135 West Church Street
Litchfield Monday, November 24 10:00am–2:00pm Meeker Memorial Hospital
Financial Room
612 South Sibley Ave
Marshall Wednesday, November 26 10:00am–4:00pm Adult Community Center
107 South 4th
Wednesday, December 3 10:00am–4:00pm
Wednesday, December 10 10:00am–4:00pm
Minneota Thursday, November 20 9:30–11:30pm Minneota Library
103 N. Jefferson St.
Osakis Wednesday, November 19 1:30–5:00pm Osakis Senior Center
Wednesday, December 10 9:00am–3:00pm Osakis Senior Center
Pelican Rapids Friday, November 14 11:00am–2:00pm Pelican Rapids Senior Center
21 NW 1st St.
Perham Monday, November 10 11:00am–2:00pm Perham Senior Dining Site
300 W. Main St.
Redwood Falls Monday, December 8 11:30am–3:00pm Redwood Falls Library
509 S Lincoln St.
Monday, December 15 11:30am–3:00pm
Rollag November 10 10:00am–2:00pm Rollag Senior Center
Tyler December 2 10:30am–12:30pm Tyler Library
230 N Tyler St.
Walnut Grove December 1 1:00–3:00pm Country View Senior Living Community
810 8th St.
Bring your medications or a list of your prescriptions and dosages. Your pharmacist may be able to provide you a printout of your current medications. Trained specialists will put basic information about you and your medications into Medicare’s online drug plan finder and help you compare plan options.

Some events are hosted by the Senior LinkAge Line and The Minnesota Area Agency’s on Aging

People with Medicare should also be aware of Medicare fraud and identity theft. To help protect Medicare beneficiaries when speaking with plans and others about their Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare urges them to protect their Medicare number as they would their credit card information. People with Medicare should not give their information to anyone who comes to their home (or calls them) uninvited selling Medicare-related products. If you or someone you love is not sure if a provider is approved by Medicare, simply call 1-800-MEDICARE.