This goes hand in hand with Open Enrollment. 
Frederick, Md (KM) Several ‘do it yourself” virtual seminars are being held by the Frederick County Division of Senior Services. Carolyn True with the agency says these on-line seminars will take place during open enrollment for seniors who are eligible to take part in Medicare Part D.
She says the seminars will instruct seniors on how to apply for the program, and make changes to their current Medicare Part D coverage. “We’re having the seminars because, in previous years, people had the opportunity to come and meet face to face with a staff person or a trained volunteer,” says True. “Obviously with the pandemic,, we don’t have that opportunity.”
But she says there will still be opportunities for citizens to ask questions about open-enrollment for Medicare Part D. “We, of course, have staff that are available to answer any questions. But we thought that the seminars would be a good way for people to review their drug plan and make any changes.”
Medicare Part D provides participants with coverage for their prescription drug needs.
True says it’s a good idea for anyone, no matter whether they are already enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan, to find out if there is a better plan. “Medicare Part D is available to anyone who has Medicare. It covers prescription drug costs,” she says. “And we encourage, even if people do not currently have any prescription that they take on a regular basis, to take a look at what might be available.”
“If someone hasn’t looked at it recently, they may have found that the costs have gone up. The prescriptions might not be covered. And so you certainly don’t want January 1st of 2021 to come around and find out that some of your drug costs have either gone up, or your prescriptions are not covered,” she adds.
Open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins on Thursday, October 15th, and ends on Monday, December 7th. Coverages go into affect on January 1st, 2021.
The first seminar is taking place on Thursday, October 15th at 7:00 PM. Other seminars will be held on:
Saturday, October 24, 10:30 a.m.
Monday, October 26, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 7, 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 19, 12:30 p.m.
Monday, November 23, 2:00 p.m.
The Division of Senior Services says each seminar is about an hour in length. Participants can register at [email protected]. For more information on Medicare Part D go to www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/SeniorServices.
By Kevin McManus