Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor is urging Ohioans on and eligible for Medicare to select 2016 coverage before the midnight deadline on Dec. 7, 2015.
During Medicare open enrollment, Ohioans can choose to select Original Medicare paired with a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Enrollees can also determine if their existing coverage will meet their health insurance needs for the upcoming year.
“It is important to understand that even if you are happy with your current Medicare coverage, cost and plan benefits may be different in 2016,” said Taylor, also director of the Ohio Department of Insurance. “Be sure to conduct a thorough review of the available plan options and contact the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) if you have any questions.”
Ohioans who need help understanding Medicare and determining coverage options should:
Contact OSHIIP for Medicare information and enrollment assistance at 1-800-686-1578 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Information including specific plan details is available at www.medicare.gov
Attend an OSHIIP Medicare Check-Up Day event throughout the state. To view a complete listing of Medicare Check-Up Day events, visit OSHIIP’s Medicare Check-Up and Annual Enrollment Toolkit page at www.insurance.ohio.gov/Consumer/Pages/MedicareToolkit.aspx. The toolkit includes a link to a Medicare Plan Finder, financial assistance information and more helpful tips.
The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) is a division of the Ohio Department of Insurance. Follow OSHIIP on facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioDepartmentofInsurance/OSHIIP.