Medicare Open Enrollment Period is October 15-December 7, 2012

New York, NY - On the first day of the Medicare Open Enrollment period, Congressman Charles B. Rangel encouraged residents of his Congressional District to start enrolling in drug and health plan coverage options for 2013.

"Since 1965, Medicare has provided healthcare security to our nation's seniors and people with disabilities," Rangel said.  "Thanks to this great program, more than three million people in our great City have benefited.  I encourage everyone to enroll for 2013 because now is the time to take full advantage of Medicare's increased benefits, improved choices and lower costs."

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period, which started on October 15, 2012 and ends on December 7, 2012, is the time when seniors can start to review their Medicare Advantage health plans (Part C) and prescription drug plans (Part D) for the upcoming year.  Between now and December 7th, seniors can learn about choices, benefits and overall costs for Medicare and select the plan that best meets their healthcare need.  Beneficiaries who are happy with their existing plan can remain on it without doing anything.

New York City residents can receive assistance from the New York City Department of Aging located on 2 Lafayette Street and can be reached Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM at 212-639-9675. Patients can search www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx to view cost and benefit information for health and drug plans and more information can be found at www.eldercare.gov. Medicare beneficiaries can also receive assistance in their local communities from their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), contact information can be found online at www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.aspx.  All information provided is confidential.

"It is important that everyone finds a plan that meets their health and drug coverage needs," Rangel continued.  "Thanks to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare has been strengthened.  I will continue to work with my Colleagues in Congress to make sure that future generations can take full advantage of all the benefits that Medicare provides."

Because of the Affordable Care Act, which Rangel sponsored in 2010, Americans with a traditional Medicare plan will save $5,000 through 2022, but those who have higher prescription drug costs could save more than $18,000 over the same period.  In addition, more than 5.5 million people with Medicare who have hit the 'donut hole' have saved nearly $4.5 billion on prescription drugs since the law was enacted and nearly 39 million people with Medicare received a preventive benefit free charge in the first eight months of 2012.

Medicare beneficiaries, family members, trusted counselors or caregivers can apply online in English and Spanish at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Medicare’s Part D Extra Help. People are also encouraged to visit www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to learn more about the Extra Help program. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.