People beginning their holiday shopping this weekend should add Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans to their shopping list.

About 67 percent of Wyoming beneficiaries might be able to change to a plan with a lower premium, according to Mike Fierberg, regional public affairs specialist for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The option does not mean people should automatically select a lower premium, but it does mean beneficiaries should look at their current plan.

There have been more significant changes in the past year than in previous years, Fierberg said. For example, four out of the five most popular plans in Wyoming increased premiums at double-digit rates.

"We really need people to do their holiday shopping, if you will, for their plans," Fierberg said. "If they do nothing and stay in their plans they could end up with higher premiums, higher copays. Worse case scenario is they will end up in a plan that doesn't cover their drugs."

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D began Nov. 15 and continues through Dec. 31. After that, people will not be able to make changes to their plans until November 2009, except under extreme circumstances.

Terry Bay is founder of Senior Patient Advocates, a Wyoming company that helps Medicare beneficiaries navigate the system for a fee. Bay offers these tips for reexamining your drug plan for 2009 and choosing a new one, if necessary:

* Make sure your plan is still available: There are 48 drug plans in Wyoming for 2009 compared with the 52 from this year, Bay said. Plus, there are a few new ones so more than four plans have been dropped.

* Avoid selecting a plan based on premiums and deductibles only: Though people should look at premiums and deductibles, the biggest driver of costs is the price of medications. People should make sure a plan covers the drugs they need and their pharmacy accepts the plan, Bay said. They should also should check if the plan places any restrictions on drugs.

* Ask a family member for help: While spending the holidays with Internet-saavy grandchildren, seniors might want to ask for help in navigating the Medicare Web site. Have a current list of medications with doses handy to input in the system.

* Be aware of Medicare Advantage plans: Bay encourages people to enroll in a separate Part D plan instead of a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles prescription drug coverage with regular Medicare benefits. In her experience, these do not work very well in Wyoming.

* Check to see if you are eligible for extra help: It is estimated about 2,800 Wyoming residents are eligible for the Low Income Subsidy, Fierberg said. There are income and asset requirements, but local Social Security offices can help seniors determine their eligibility.

* Enroll in something: Even if you are not currently on any medications, you should enroll in a drug plan to avoid costly late enrollment fees down the road, Bay said. People who already have credible coverage, say from an employer, are exempt.

* Keep it real: "If they sound too good to be true, they probably are," Bay said. People can end up with hidden costs, a longer no-coverage gap and a potentially worthless plan if it does not cover the right drugs.

Bay said to remember the plans will be different for every person. What works for a husband with diabetes may not work for his wife.

Choosing the right plan, "can save them hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars," she said. "People are very wary with the economy, and this is a place where they can save money."

Beneficiaries might have a little extra cash this season for the rest of the items on their holiday shopping list.

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.

For enrollment help

Contact one of these agencies for assistance:

- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at (800) 633-4227

- Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc. at (800) 856-4398

- Senior Patient Advocates at (307) 472-1770

Contact one of these agencies for assistance:

- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at (800) 633-4227

- Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc. at (800) 856-4398

- Senior Patient Advocates at (307) 472-1770 ]]>