Owens announces expanded Medicare Open Enrollment
From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens
Affordable Care Act provides Medicare recipients cheaper Rx, free preventive services
WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens today announced Medicare’s Open Enrollment period that began this week and has been expanded to last seven weeks through Wednesday, December 7th. The expanded enrollment period will give seniors and those with disabilities more time to compare and find the best plan that meets their needs.
“Thanks to the recent health care law, New Yorkers are seeing more options as they choose their health care plans,” said Owens. “Additionally, the Affordable Care Act is closing the Medicare Part D ‘donut hole’ for seniors and providing recipients free preventive services that keep them out of the hospital and lower the nation’s health care costs.”
In addition to adding eight years to Medicare’s solvency, the Affordable Care Act is also strengthening the program by providing beneficiaries critical services and discounts:
· Free key preventive health services: 1,151,878 Medicare beneficiaries in New York have already taken advantage of free preventive health services like mammograms and colonoscopies.
· Free annual wellness visits: 86,191 New York Medicare beneficiaries have received a free check-up from the doctor of their choice – and will continue to have the opportunity each year under the Affordable Care Act.
· 50% Discount on brand-name drugs: For those in the Medicare Part D “donut hole” coverage gap, there is a 50% discount available on brand-name drugs. 121,759 seniors in the Medicare Part-D donut hole have received discounts totaling $72,930,323.94 in the first eight months of this year alone – an average discount of $598.97 per beneficiary.
Beginning this week, Medicare recipients can begin reviewing the 2012 quality ratings for Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug plans (Part D) for the upcoming year.
A web-based Medicare Plan Finder is now available to help beneficiaries, their families, caregivers and senior program advocates look at all local prescription plan options that are available for the 2012 benefit year. To access the Medicare Plan Finder, New Yorkers can visit https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/.
Posted: October 20th, 2011 under Congressional News.