Medicare beneficiaries and persons newly eligible for Medicare are reminded that open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins on Oct. 15. Beneficiaries can join, change or drop their prescription drug plan or enroll in a supplemental insurance plan during the open enrollment period which ends on Dec. 7.
During the enrollment period, individuals who are currently enrolled in the Part D plan administered by CCRX should enroll in a new plan. AARP policy holders do not need to make any changes to their Part D plan. Those not taking advantage of this year’s open enrollment will have to wait until next year’s open enrollment to make any changes or join a Part D plan. Individuals enrolling outside of the open enrollment period are subject to a one percent penalty for each month that they opted not to enroll.
Retirees of the Virgin Islands government who are Medicare eligible are also encouraged to contact the office to learn more about their health insurance options.
To learn more about the available Part D and supplemental insurance plans or to obtain assistance with joining or changing a plan, contact the VI SHIP/Medicare office on St. Thomas at 714-4354 or on St. Croix at 772-7368. Beneficiaries may also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
