Health and Family Services Cabinet
Get Help Comparing, Enrolling in Medicare Prescription Drug Plans; SHIP counselors work with callers one-on-one to find the right plan
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2007) -- Annual open enrollment for Medicare prescription drug coverage is Nov. 15 - Dec. 31, and help and information about Medicare Part D plans and enrollment are just a phone call away.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers one-on-one counseling by phone to help callers compare plans and make choices based on their individual needs. SHIP also can help callers enroll in the plan of their choice.
The state Department for Aging and Independent Living in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services administers the SHIP program and encourages eligible Kentuckians to enroll early to ensure their Medicare prescription drug plan coverage starts Jan. 1.
“It’s important for Medicare recipients to choose and sign up for a prescription drug plan early, so coverage is available Jan. 1 for new members and continues uninterrupted for those who change plans,” said Cheryl Bentley, director of SHIP. “Our well-trained SHIP counselors and volunteers can help callers walk through the process step-by-step to ensure they choose the plan that’s best for them.”
Anyone of any age who receives Medicare Part A, B or both is eligible for the Medicare prescription drug plan. Individuals already enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan are encouraged to review their plans to make sure costs, coverage and customer service still meet their needs.
Kentuckians already enrolled in a plan may switch to another plan during open enrollment. Those who are satisfied with their current plans don’t need to do anything. Their plan benefits will automatically renew and continue.
For help, call the SHIP Statewide Helpline toll-free at (877) 293-7447 or call the regional SHIP office serving your county of residence. Information also is available online at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or TTY (877) 486-2048.
Regional and local SHIP Helplines:
Barren River Area - (270) 782-5740 or toll-free (866) 452-9243
Serving: Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson and Warren
Big Sandy Area - (606) 886-2374 or toll-free (800) 737-2723
Serving: Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike
Blue Grass Area - (859) 233-4556 or toll-free (800) 928-4556
Serving: Anderson, Boyle, Bourbon, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford
Buffalo Trace Area - (606) 784-8921 or toll-free (800) 274-5863
Serving: Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason and Robertson
Cumberland Valley Area - (606) 864-7391 or toll-free (800) 795-7654
Serving: Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle and Whitley
FIVCO - (606) 784-8921 or toll-free (800) 274-5863
Serving: Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup and Lawrence
Gateway Area - (606) 784-8921 or toll-free (800) 274-5863
Serving: Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan and Rowan
Green River Area - (270) 926-4433 or toll-free (800) 928-9093
Serving: Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union and Webster
Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) - (502) 266-6084 or toll-free (888) 737-3363
Serving: Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble
Kentucky River Area - (606) 436-3158 or toll-free (800) 928-5723
Serving: Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe
Lake Cumberland Area - (606) 679-7313 or toll-free (800) 866-7313
Serving: Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor and Wayne
Lincoln Trail Area - (270) 737-0669 or toll-free (866) 275-5772
Serving: Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington
Northern Kentucky Area - (859) 431-8200 or toll-free (800) 888-8189
Serving: Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton
Pennyrile Area - (270) 886-6341 or toll-free (800) 264-0643
Serving: Caldwell, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg
Christian County – (270) 886-8608 or toll-free (888) 959-8885
Serving: Christian
Purchase Area - (270) 247-7171 or toll-free (877) 352-5183
Serving: Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall and McCracken