Free help with Medicare open enrollment could lead to major savings

OKLAHOMA CITY – Medicare beneficiaries in Oklahoma can get free, unbiased help reviewing their Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans for 2017. The Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) and its partner agencies are offering assistance during the open enrollment period. Last year, MAP counselors helped Oklahoma beneficiaries save an average of $1,900 on their Part D prescription drug plan. If you don’t receive social security checks, it could be as easy as looking up something simple like Jacksonville medicare (location varies depending on where you live) on Google and doing some research into how you can enroll.

“There are more than 600,000 Oklahomans on Medicare,” Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak said. “To ensure these folks get the most from their Medicare benefits next year, they need to research their options. We can help them do that.”

Medicare Open Enrollment started Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can:

• Adjust Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage
• Change from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa)
• Switch between Medicare Advantage plans
• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
• Switch existing drug plans or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Trained counselors can help beneficiaries understand Medicare benefits and the enrollment process. MAP partners with agencies to offer this assistance throughout the state. To find a partner agency offering Medicare help near you, go to oid.ok.gov.

“We are here to serve the seniors of Oklahoma,” said Ray Walker, MAP Director. “Keeping budget in mind, we want to help each senior select the best medical coverage. We are all about helping Medicare beneficiaries preserve quality of life.”

Any changes made during Medicare Open Enrollment will go into effect on Jan. 1. If you have any questions about Medicare enrollment, call MAP at 800-763-2828.