Deadline For Medicare Part D Enrollment

The deadline is fast approaching for Medicare prescription drug benefits for the new year. Tulsa's senior citizens are signing up now, because after Sunday, the enrollment ends until November of next

Friday, December 29th 2006, 10:17 am

By: News On 6

The deadline is fast approaching for Medicare prescription drug benefits for the new year. Tulsa's senior citizens are signing up now, because after Sunday, the enrollment ends until November of next year. News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says it's too late to get much help locally, but there is still time to sign up through the internet and by phone.

Leone Calico is a spry 79-year-old woman, but even she can't figure out the available plans under Medicare Part D.

"Very frustrating," said Leone Calico.

That's why Ms. Calico and more than 300 other seniors have sought help from Life Senior Services. Todd Redding helps people select from 57 available choices.

â€œIt's very very difficult to make these decisions with just the printed material that's available, having internet access helps, but still many of the seniors we deal with are confused by it and we're simply trying to help them sort it out,â€ said Todd Redding with Life Senior Services.

The Medicare website is what they use to make the choice. Seniors need their Medicare card and a list of current prescriptions, but the computer crunches the numbers to suggest the best plans.

"When we can look at the different plans we're often saving hundreds, even thousands of dollars between plans based on the types of medication they take," Redding said.

For Ms. Calico the plan saves her some money on the four prescriptions she's taking, and she found a plan with no premium.

"When you're a senior it makes a lot of difference in your daily living, and feeling comfortable with your doctor and with the plan you have selected," said Calico.
Medicare will have people available through Sunday night to help people enroll by phone; their number is 1-800-633-4227.

The website is medicare.gov and almost anyone on Medicare and on prescription drugs will find a way to save money by signing up.