Medicare’s Open Enrollment National Hispanic Kick-Off Event

ADVISORY for Wednesday, November 14

WHO:
Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Seniors from the Holiday Park Senior Center

WHAT:
Medicare’s Open Enrollment National Hispanic kick-off event.

Acting Administrator Kerry Weems and Assistant Secretary Josefina Carbonell will be present at the Holiday Park Senior Center to launch the Medicare Open Enrollment National Hispanic Campaign. During Open Enrollment, which runs November 15-December 31, 2007, people with Medicare will be selecting Medicare health and drug coverage for 2008.

People with Medicare are urged to assess their health needs, review their current health and drug coverage, compare it with other area plans, and choose a plan that’s best for them. They are also urged to act quickly, so their coverage works smoothly in 2008. “Extra help” is available for people with Medicare who cannot afford their prescription drug costs.

Experts will be on-site ready to help those people with Medicare who qualify learn more about the $3,600 that is available to help pay for their drug coverage and to help them complete the “extra help” applications. People with Medicare can also apply for extra help through their local Social Security office, by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 1:00-3:00

WHERE:
The Holiday Park Senior Center
3950 Ferrara Drive, Wheaton, MD 20906

BACKGROUND:
The right Medicare plan lets you get on with your plans. People with Medicare don’t want to worry about their health coverage all year. They want to spend time doing the things they enjoy. By taking a little time today to review their current plan’s coverage for 2008 and comparing it to other plans available, people with Medicare will be able to get on with their plans the rest of the year. As part of this fall’s “Working Together for Better Health” Medicare Bus Tour, CMS will host events across the country helping people with Medicare make the most of their Medicare. During Open Enrollment (November 15-December 31, 2007), people with Medicare will be selecting health and drug coverage for 2008. People with Medicare are urged to assess their health needs, review their current health and drug coverage, compare it to other area plans, and choose a plan that’s best for them. They are also urged to act quickly, so their coverage works smoothly in 2008.

People with Medicare can receive assistance in reviewing and choosing a plan by attending a “Working Together” Medicare event, contacting a county or city office on aging, visiting www.medicare.gov, or calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). While change may not be necessary, people with Medicare can use Open Enrollment time to review and make adjustments to their existing Medicare coverage. There may be another plan that’s better for them.

Individuals with limited income and resources may qualify for extra help to pay for prescription drug costs. Experts will be on-site at each event ready to help eligible people with Medicare learn more about the $3,600 that is available to help pay for their drug coverage and to help them complete the extra help applications. People with Medicare can also apply for extra help through their local Social Security office by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov, or calling 1-800-772-1213.”*

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