Medicare enrollees urged to double check 2020 drug plan prices

QUINCY -- Medicare enrollees are being warned that the 2020 drug plan prices they find on the government's Medicare Plan Finder site may be wrong.

And if they signed up for a drug plan anyway, they only have until next Saturday Dec. 7 to cancel the plan and look for a better one.

AARP reported that as millions of Medicare beneficiaries review their current coverage and make decisions for 2020, some information on the redesigned Medicare website is wrong.

Among the problems identified by AARP are inconsistent drug prices for the same plan and different versions of the lists of drugs covered by that plan.

Website errors are occurring on drug price information for both Medicare Advantage plans and Part D prescription drug plans.

Advocates suggest that Medicare beneficiaries double-check the information they are getting on Medicare.gov by calling the plan they're considering -- or have already enrolled in -- to ask for their prices and to confirm what drugs are covered.

As long as enrollees act before the end of open enrollment Dec. 7, they can change their mind and select another plan.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claims the issues that have come to the agency's attention so far "are not inaccuracies but rather user error or confusion."

However, inaccuracies are being reported by AARP and other consumer advocates, insurance companies and brokers, as well as beneficiaries.

Melinda Morle, a regional health benefits coordinator at HESSCO Elder Services in Sharon, said that beneficiaries can change plans as many times as they would like during Medicare Open Enrollment.

The state's health insurance counseling program, called SHINE, has information on where local counselors can be found. Most however are already booked for appointments through Dec. 7.

"The last enrollment they make by December 7th will be the enrollment that will take effect January 1st," Morle said. "If a consumer has accidentally enrolled in a Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan that is not the best for him/her, there is still time."

ProPublica and others including eHealth have reported on troubling technology challenges associated with Medicare.gov's Plan Finder tool: the government website has been malfunctioning and giving inaccurate cost estimates for prescription drugs.

Advocates released these figures about the open enrollment so far:

31% of Medicare beneficiaries say that out-of-pocket costs (including those associated with prescription drugs) are the most important consideration when picking a plan.

Those enrolling in Medicare Advantage using eHealth's drug coverage comparison tool found more than $1,100 in potential annual savings if they switched to the optimal plan based on their personal drug regimen

So far this open enrollment season, more than 8 in 10 people enrolling in Medicare Advantage have chosen plans with a $0 monthly premium.

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