Medicare Part D signup changing

Hutchinson News, The (KS)

Aug. 28--New security measures on the federal Medicare website may mean headaches for those updating their Medicare Part D during the annual sign-up period in October, the director of Reno County's Department of Aging said this week.

The agency will again be providing free assistance to residents over age 60 during the sign-up period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

"In theory, it's a good idea," Lilyhorn told the Reno County Commission on Tuesday, of the changes. "But when someone comes to open enrollment they're going to have to set up an entirely new account. In the past, they could log in using their Social Security number, and the information was carried over from one year to the next. Everyone will be starting over this year."

Each person will have to create an account with a password and security question, Lilyhorn said. They'll also have to enter or re-enter all their medications into the site.

"The concern we have is we're not allowed to, and shouldn't be allowed to, keep information for someone," she said. "However, it will make it difficult for many of the people who are not computer savvy. Most of the people who receive Part D counseling are not computer savvy, which is why they come to us."

The password can be used for two years and then will have to be changed. Volunteers are already taking training on the new rules, Lilyhorn said, which will require them looking away when a client enters the password and security question.

In anticipation of the issues, they're developing a card for each client to record their information to take away with them, to use when they need to get back into the system. They also plan to buy small bright colored envelopes people can put the wallet-sized card in so it's easy to find.

"In the past, they could call after they visited us if they're rethinking what was done, and we could access their file and help them over the phone," she said. "We're not going to be able to do that the way it is."

Besides four Department of Aging staff, they work with RSVP volunteers during the assistance period. They expect to have nearly a dozen trained volunteers, several of whom will be assisting for a seventh or eighth year, Lilyhorn said.

The office staff and volunteers assisted more than 900 people last year. That's outside of the work done by one employee at the Reno County Extension Office, who helps those under age 60, Lilyhorn said.

"Some plans are changing, and some will go away," Lilyhorn said of the insurance options that are part of the Part D prescription program. "It's important for people to have non-biased information about that when signing up."

Commissioner Ron Sellers said he hopes the public is aware of the service offered by the department and takes advantage of it.

"Having gone through this last year, it was one of the most confusing things I've done in my life," Sellers said. "It seems unduly complicated. If your people can counsel, that's a wonderful benefit."

Lilyhorn said advises anyone approaching their 65th birthday visit with the agency in advance.

"The first stop is Social Security, and the next phone call should be to us," she said. "It doesn't matter who you are. We want everyone to at least consider us. It's a confusing process, and we help people day-in and day-out."

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