If you rely on Social Security, you may be eligible for extra help with paying for prescription drugs. Apply online.

By Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services

With the holiday season upon us, it’s easy to get busy this time of year. Some pretty important tasks can get left to the last minute. One of those important tasks is ensuring you are in the right health insurance plan in Medicare. Selecting the right plan is a personal choice, and a lot of thoughtful consideration goes into finding the right match. But just like the holidays, those key dates come whether or not you are ready.

If you haven’t made up your mind yet about a health or drug plan, now is the time to make your selection. Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7. To help you sort through your choices, try using the Medicare Plan Finder to review the options in your area. It can help you decide the best mix of benefits and costs that meet your needs and budget.

If you find yourself in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage gap (“donut hole”), you will continue to save money in 2013 with big discounts on brand-name prescription drugs. More than 5.6 million people have saved over $5 billion on prescription drugs in the donut hole since 2010.

In these last few days of Medicare Open Enrollment, take a second to review your options. If you like your current health care coverage, you don’t need to do anything. But if you’re thinking about making any changes, now is the time to act and cross another item off your to-do list.

The Medicare open enrollment period begins today. Learn more about the health and drug plans available.

If you are eligible, you can join, drop, or switch your coverage. 

Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their prescription and health plans once a year. These changes could result in savings on medical costs, or increased access to new benefits such as wellness visits and preventive care services.

Changes to Medicare health plans can only be made between October 15 and December 7, 2011. They will take effect on January 1, 2012.

Saving Money Is Just One of the Benefits

The open enrollment period is available for people who receive health coverage directly from Medicare as well as those who receive coverage from private insurance companies approved by Medicare. In other words:

• Members who receive benefits directly from Medicare can switch to a Medicare-approved private insurance company or the other way around
• Members can switch from one Medicare-approved private insurance company to another.

Changing plans may mean more savings on out-of-pocket costs, as well as prescription drugs. Beneficiaries may also be able to choose or change their doctor or pharmacy.

It’s Worth Comparing

Comparing plans is the best way to figure out if it’s worth making any changes.

Medicare has a plan finder that lets you compare the cost and range of services from health providers in your area. By using this tool you can:

• See what types of drugs are covered under each health plan
• Calculate out-of-pocket expenses
• See how satisfied current members are with a specific health plan

How to Get Help

Medicare.gov has several resources to help you understand the different types of coverage.

If you still have questions you can get personalized help in your area by searching by topic and getting helpful contacts and websites. You can also always call Medicare at 1 (800) 447-8477.

Watch out for Scammers

Scammers are always looking to take advantage of people, especially when there are changes to Medicare services. Be on the lookout for people trying to sell unsolicited products or services under the guise of Medicare services, as they might try to steal your identity. You should protect your Medicare number as well as your Social Security number.

You can report Medicare fraud online or call 1 (800) 447-8477.