Poolman: Medicare Part D enrollment deadline fast approaching Posted on 5/9/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cecily Fong
May 9, 2006
701-328-2440
Bismarck, ND - Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman today reminded Medicare beneficiaries across North Dakota that the deadline for signing up for Medicare Part D is just around the corner. Medicare recipients who have not signed up who still want to are urged to explore their options and sign up before May 15 when a late signup penalty will apply.
Poolman said, "The signup deadline is fast approaching and anyone who has questions about Part D should contact the Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program right away to get the assistance they need." The SHIC program will be extending their hours from May 8 to May 15 to assist Medicare beneficiaries who want to sign up for the Part D program. Counselors are available for in-person appointments and over the phone this week and next Monday until 8:00 pm every evening.
Anyone who is interested in signing up needs to gather their Medicare card, their prescription bottles and the name of their pharmacist and:
Call Medicare at 1.800.Medicare or visit www.medicare.gov;
Call the Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program at 1.888.575.6611 for one-on-one assistance or to make an appointment to get signed up.
Anyone who thinks they may qualify for extra financial help, should contact their local Social Security office:
In Bismarck ~ 250.4200
Devils Lake ~ 662.6290
Dickinson ~ 225.9178
Fargo ~ 239.5607
Grand Forks ~ 772.5518
Jamestown ~ 252.6024
Minot ~ 852.0604
Williston ~ 572.0682
"Medicare Part D is a valuable benefit that can potentially save people hundreds of dollars per year on their prescriptions. Anyone who is eligible for this benefit owes it to themselves to see if it makes sense to sign up and take advantage of the savings," Poolman said.
