The Washington Korean Community Service Center (Director Jinah Kim) is providing individual services to Korean seniors in the community during the Medicare Part D (drug insurance) review and registration period.
The center has provided drug insurance review, change, and enrollment services to approximately 250 Koreans since the 15th of last month.
Choi Daehyun, the head of the social welfare team at the center, said, “Since the types of drugs subsidized by each plan, insurance premiums, and co-payments change every year, we recommend checking every year,” and “In particular, since the number of plans in most areas has decreased significantly next year compared to this year, when insurance companies automatically change plans, they often change to insurance with higher premiums. Therefore, it is important to check how your insurance has changed.”
He also added that current beneficiaries of benefits such as Extra Help need to check whether the benefits will be maintained next year and whether continuous benefits are possible.
The welfare center also provides explanations and guidance on the Medicare Savings Program and Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance Plan (Extra Help) that clients can sign up for depending on their circumstances, along with drug insurance checks and enrollment.
Medicare Part D plan checks and changes are possible between October 15 and December 7 each year, and the changed drug insurance will be applied from January 1 of the following year. Anyone who is 65 years of age or older or has a disability and has Medicare must sign up for drug insurance for prescription drug coverage, and drug insurance plans can be checked and changed during a designated period each year.
To receive services, you must bring your ID for identification, your current prescription medication bottles, your Medicare and Medicaid cards, and your drug insurance card.
For inquiries and reservations, call (703) 354-6345 VA Annandale Office, (240) 683-6663 MD Gaithersburg Office, (240) 847-7177 Silver Spring and Ellicott City Offices