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Review Medicare Part D coverage before month's end, senior advocacy groups say 2009-12-15 Senior citizens should review their Medicare Part D coverage before December 31 rolls around, nonprofit groups devoted to senior issues say. "The time to choose your Medicare private drug plan for 2010 is now," suggested Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center. The Washington-based nonprofit advises seniors to make a list of the medication they need and research both original Medicare and Medicare-paid private insurance plans. Part D coverage is usually required with the latter plans, Medicare Rights Center says. Seniors should call the Medicare information line or visit Medicare's website for more information, the group adds. Open enrollment - when seniors can change their Part D coverage if need be - closes when December ends. Lynda DeLaforgue, the co-director of Illinois-based Citizen Action, said that "it pays to shop around" for new Part D coverage. DeLaforgue, writing an op-ed for the Chicago-area Daily Herald, noted that some plans will change in 2010. "In many cases," she said, "premiums have dramatically increased or the benefit structure of the plan may have changed." She added that Medicare beneficiaries should check with their local or state seniors' agencies about coverage changes.  |
