The enrollment period for joining or changing Medicare Prescription drug plans for 2019 is October 15- December 7.
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services’ Elder Law Project provided information on how to choose the best prescription drug plan and how to reduce the out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs through the low income subsidy called “Extra Help” from a variety of experts and agency representatives at the Front Porch in Vardaman recently.
Students from the University of Mississippi School of Law explained that Three Rivers Area Agency on Aging’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers a free service to assist people in Calhoun and surrounding counties find the best and least expensive drug plan.
Carolyn Poston of the Social Security Administration explained that a low income subsidy is available for people who qualify for “Extra Help” to pay the out-of-pocket costs of the Medicare Part D Plans.
People can apply for “Extra Help” though the Social Security Administration or through the Medicaid Office. Prescription opioids and their abuse, a growing problem in the state, was the topic discussed by Walt Edington, Certified Nurse Practitioner from the Family Medical Clinic of Vardaman.
Retired Pharmacist Jack Spencer shared information about using the prescription drug benefit from the pharmacist’s point of view.
For information about the Medicare Part D open enrollment process that begins on October 15 or other Medicare issues, contact the Mississippi State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), at 1-800-948-3090.