I've just turned 65 and I'm finally eligible for Medicare and I'm going to get what I paid for! Is it too last for me to enroll in Medicare Part D?

Dear Made it to Medicare,

You'll be happy to know that yes, there is still time to enroll in Medicare Part D, the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

But time is running out: you must enroll by December 31 of this year.

That's the good news. Now here is the rub: there are over a 1,000 drug plans to choose from, and finding a suitable one can be a confusing and overwhelming process.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit is a government health care program that offers coverage for brand name and generic drugs to anyone eligible for Medicare. Coverage is provided through private insurance plans. To be eligible for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan benefit, an individual must be:

• entitled to Medicare Benefits under Part A and/ or enrolled in Part B
• a resident in the prescription plan's service area
• not be enrolled in more than one Medicare Part D plan at a time

During the annual enrollment period of November 15 through December 31 of each year, anyone eligible for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage may either enroll or switch their current Medicare Part D plan.

As stated, there are many plans and options out there. Pick carefully and you can save yourself some money.

But first, you and caregivers of family members 65 of over should consider cost, coverage and convenience. These are the three "C"s that matter for Part D.

One website that can help you select a plan is the CVS Medicare Part D Calculator, which helps you calculate the lowest cost plan, shows you medications covered under that plan, and whether or not you can get the drugs at a convenient drug dispensatory. CVS claims people can save an "average of over $600."

If you are already enrolled in Medicare Part D, you may want to check your existing plan before Dec. 31 rolls around. Plans are always changing, and the enrollment period only comes around once a year.

Yours in Gov,

Bureaupat

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