Medicare open enrollment ends Thursday night
COLUMBUS — The open enrollment or “annual coordinated election” period for 2010 Medicare coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, which started Nov. 15, ends at midnight Thursday. The Ohio Department of Insurance, through its Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), is urging beneficiaries to call the OSHIIP hotline at (800) 686-1578 for plan and enrollment help. Coverage will begin Jan. 1.
During the Medicare open enrollment period people on Medicare can select one of several coverage options: Original Medicare; original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and/or with a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan; a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides comprehensive health benefits including drug coverage; or determine if their current coverage is still the best choice for 2010.
For a listing of available Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, visit www.medicare.gov.