healthcareprosBISMARCK (CSi) North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm today reminded North Dakotans the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

Hamm says “Companies often make changes to the plans they offer, so I encourage Medicare beneficiaries to compare their Part D plans to be sure they’re enrolled in the one that’s best for them.”

Valley City area residents are invited to attend a free enrollment event 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014 at the Senior Center, 139 2nd Ave. SE, Valley City.

Jamestown area residents are invited to attend a free enrollment event 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at the James River Senior Center at The Legacy Place, 419 5th St. NE, Jamestown.

The Insurance Department’s State Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIC) staff is traveling to seven cities around the state during the open enrollment period, offering free assistance in switching or enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan. If you will be attending an event and have been given a yellow drug retrieval card, please bring it to the event for expedited service. Consumers also need to bring a list of their medications, including dosages and frequency.

Eligible North Dakotans who are unable to attend a Part D enrollment event have two other options:

  • Call 2-1-1 by Nov. 21, 2014 from anywhere in North Dakota. Have your medication information ready. The top two or three plan choices will be mailed to beneficiaries.
  • Visit www.medicare.gov and enter your information in the Plan Finder tool. On the homepage, click the green button labeled “find health and drug plans.”

For details on the annual enrollment events, call SHIC at 1-888-575-6611 or visit www.nd.gov/ndins.