By Staff – 15 Oct ’14
Insurance Commissioner Tom Hirsig is reminding Wyomingites that Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period begins October 15 and continues through December 7, 2014. In most cases you will not be able to change Prescription Drug Plan options outside the open enrollment period; therefore, you should take the time to carefully review your Medicare benefits and options now.
Help enrolling or changing prescription drug plans, in your local area, can be found by contacting the Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program (WSHIIP) in Casper at 1-877-634-1006, in Cheyenne, at 1-877-634-1005, or statewide, in Riverton, by calling 1-800-856-4398. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance, or by using Medicare’s Prescription Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov.
Commissioner Hirsig advises that “not everyone who contacts you about switching your Medicare drug or health plan has the best intentions.” To protect yourself from fraud, here are some additional tips:
- Beware of door-to-door sales people. Agents cannot solicit business at your home without an appointment. Do not let uninvited agents into your home.
- Check with the Wyoming Insurance Department to make sure the agent is licensed.
- Do not give out personal information, such as Social Security or Medicare ID numbers, bank account or credit card numbers to anyone you have not verified as a licensed agent.
- Verify that the plan you have chosen is an approved Medicare plan. All of the approved plans are available at www.medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- Should you suspect Medicare fraud, please contact the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-800-856-4398.
The Wyoming Insurance Department may be contacted at 1-800-438-5768 or online at http://doi.wyo.gov.
