Open enrollment runs from October 15 - December 7. Lisa Du listed some tips to consider when picking a Medicare prescription drug plan in "How to Comparison-shop".
- Use Medicare.gov - This website allows beneficiaries to input the medication they use and suggests the best plans to pick.
- For those without Internet access, call the State Health Insurance Assistance Program at 1-800-701-0501.
- The best plan depends on which drugs the beneficiaries are taking; it is not always the plan with the lowest premium.
- Consider the non-monetary costs of switching. Changing plans to save $1 may not be worth the hassle.
From Newsday, Wednesday, September 26, 2012