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Attention Medicare Patients: Enrollment is Earlier This Year

The fall Open Enrollment Period for Medicare is earlier this year.  If you have Medicare and are looking to change your Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2012, you have between October 15 and December 7 to do so, unless there are special circumstances. These include if you have permanently moved out of your plan’s service area or if you qualify for extra help paying for prescription medication, among others. On January 1, 2012, new coverage begins for those who switch or join a plan.

For new subscribers, Medicare covers all the costs for a one-time, comprehensive “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit during the first 12 months of coverage. To take advantage of this opportunity, call your doctor once you have enrolled with Medicare and let us know you are scheduling a “Welcome to Medicare exam.”

After the first 12 months, Medicare covers an annual “Wellness Visit” at no cost to you. This “wellness” visit gives you the opportunity to review your current health and risk factors and develop or update a personal prevention plan with your primary care provider or a member of his or her team. The exam is fully covered by Medicare once every 12 months.  Check with your health plan to see if you are eligible.

Simply call your physician’s office to schedule your appointment, and be sure to let us know that you are scheduling a “Medicare wellness exam.” 

The wellness visit is not a physical exam or a time to address new or ongoing problems.  We will reschedule the wellness visit if any other issues require attention on that day.

For more information about Medicare coverage or to enroll online visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/