Medicare continued from previous page
Cloney’s Pharmacies • • • •
Serving Humboldt County Since 1902 Fast, Friendly & Professional Service Immunizations Available Certified Diabetes Educator Specialty Services: Ostomy & Wound Care Supplies, Durable Medical Equipment, Diabetic Shoes, Blister Packaging and Medication Therapy Management Cloney’s Prescription Pharmacy 2515 Harrison Avenue, Eureka (707) 443-7086
Cloney’s Red Cross Pharmacy 525 5th Street, Eureka (707) 443-1614
FREE Home Delivery in Eureka
2 SPECIAL INSERT TO THE NORTH COAST JOURNAL • THURSDAY, OCT. 6, 2011
began January 1, 2006 with passage of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. For starters, the number of plans available nationally dropped from 1,688 in 2009 to 1,007 in 2011. During the same three-year period, the number of plans with no deductible dropped roughly 58 percent nationally and fell from 29 in California in 2009 to 13 in 2011. “Those are big changes, but some people are still surprised every January when the new plans go into effect,” Johnson said. In August, HICAP started scheduling free individual appointments to review plans. Within four weeks of mailing reminder cards to beneficiaries, nearly half of the appointments were filled. “If we can’t get you an appointment, we’ll mail out a worksheet asking for information about your prescription drug needs,” Johnson said. “When we get that worksheet back, we’ll figure out the best choices and mail it back to you. Then you can contact Medicare or the plan to assist with changes.” Medicare agents are available around the clock during the en-
rollment period at 1-800-6334227 (more easily remembered as 1-800-MEDICAR). Callers should have on hand their Medicare card and a complete list of medications and dosages. HICAP has also scheduled a workshop titled “How to Use the Medicare Website to Find the Best Drug Plan” from 4-5 p.m. on Oct. 6 and 13. No reservations are required, but seating is limited. Meant for do-it-yourselfers, the workshop is conducted at Area I Agency on Aging at 434 Seventh Street in Eureka. To request an appointment or worksheet, call HICAP at 707-444-3000 in Humboldt County or 707-464-7876 in Del Norte County. “For something that is supposed to be helping seniors, the prescription drug plan is so complicated,” Hendry said. “We’re here to help, but we can’t help if you don’t call.” During last year’s enrollment period, the HICAP staff of three full-time and 15 parttime employees and volunteers conducted 1,488 counseling appointments, handled 2,251 phone calls and saved clients and taxpayers almost $1.3 million, Johnson said.