Open enrollment for Medicare prescription drug and Medicare Advantage plans

This is the time of year to review your Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) and compare it with other Prescription Drug plans to make sure you have the plan that best fits your needs.

The open enrollment period to change your Medicare Part D plan for 2015 started Oct. 15, and ends Dec. 7. You can find and compare prescription drug plans on the medicare.gov web site. Also beginning in 2015 there are a couple of new Medicare Advantage plans available for those living in Clearwater, Lewis, and Idaho Counties.

If you do not have a computer or need assistance navigating the medicare.gov web site, Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) are available on Thursday mornings and Fridays during the open enrollment period at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Orofino.

Please call 1-800-247-4422 to make an appointment. SHIBA is part of a nationwide organization of Medicare State Health Insurance Programs that supports and trains local counselors to help Medicare recipient’s access benefits and information about Medicare. All counseling sessions are free of charge.