Lt. Gov, Tregenza A. Roach Esq. advises all Medicare beneficiaries and persons newly eligible for Medicare, that the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Beneficiaries are able to join or drop their prescription drug plan by the scheduled December deadline.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) offers prescription drug coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries, with some exceptions. Beneficiaries with employer or union health coverage do not need to enroll in a prescription drug plan. Joining the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan may result in a loss of union or employer health coverage.
To receive Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare beneficiaries are required to join a plan provided by a private insurance company approved by Medicare. Each year the plan sets the cost and determines which prescription drugs are covered.
In preparation for open enrollment, beneficiaries are encouraged to review their current Medicare coverage to ensure that the plan adequately meets their needs in terms of cost, coverage and convenience.
Individuals satisfied with their current plan do not have to re-enroll. Persons not participating in this year’s open enrollment period will have to wait until next year to make any changes to their coverage.
For the safety of beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic, open enrollment sessions will not be held in person. Beneficiaries may contact the Virgin Islands State Health Insurance Assistance Program (VI SHIP) Medicare office in the St. Thomas/St. John District at 774-2991, extension 4507 or in the St. Croix District at 778-6311, extension 3110 to schedule a telephone appointment. For additional information, they may visit www.medicare.gov.
