15 Oct 2012 CareLink provides free Medicare Drug Plan reviews

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Free Medicare Drug Plan reviews, information and assistance are available to Central Arkansas Medicare recipients through CareLink.

Those interested can call 501.372.5300 or 800.482.6359 to make an appointment during the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage scheduled through Friday, Dec. 7.

Health needs change from year to year, and health insurance plans change annually. So Medicare recipients need to re-evaluate their plans during the open enrollment period each year to be sure they have the best coverage for the coming year.

“We’re a local nonprofit, and we’re not associated with any insurance plan,” said CareLink Outreach Manager Debbie Gillespie. “CareLink counselors provide an objective review of your medications and the offerings from Medicare Prescription Drug insurers to help you find your best plan for 2013. In the past, these reviews have saved some people hundreds of dollars each month.”

Medicare’s enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and lasts seven full weeks to give older people ample time to review their plans and make changes to their coverage. Medicare recipients will need to make their final selection for 2013 Medicare coverage by Dec. 7 to ensure Medicare coverage continues without interruption on Jan. 1, 2013.

Medicare recipients must have an appointment for a review during the open enrollment period. Homebound older people may call for CareLink to review medications in their homes, but most reviews occur at CareLink’s office in North Little Rock or during scheduled times at these central Arkansas locations:

• Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center (NLR)—Oct. 15, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Bess Chisum Stephens Center (LR)—Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Des Arc Senior Center—Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Clarendon Senior Center—Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  

• Cabot Senior Center—Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center—Oct. 22, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Conway Senior Wellness and Activity Center—Oct. 23, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Bryant Senior Wellness and Activity Center—Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Dunbar Senior Center (LR)—Oct. 30, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Benton Senior Wellness and Activity  Center—Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Camp Aldersgate (LR)—Nov. 1, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Betty Fort Senior Center (Lonoke)—Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center (NLR)—Nov. 7, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Jack Evans Senior Center (Sherwood)—Nov. 8, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Conway Senior Wellness and Activity Center—Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Audubon Pointe (Maumelle)—Nov. 15, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.        

Last year more than 17,500 people in Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski and Saline counties were CareLinked with information and resources to help them stay active and in their own homes, avoiding more costly care. Older people and their caregivers can get the information and assistance they need from CareLink at 501.372.5300, toll-free 800.482.6359 or by visiting carelink.org.