WARWICK – Three weeks into open enrollment season for Medicare and Medicare Part D plans, CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems is coming to Rhode Island today to help raise awareness of the tools available to help guide beneficiaries and their caregivers.
Weems will be joined by Gov. Donald L. Carcieri at an 11 a.m. event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence-Warwick, 801 Greenwich Ave., Warwick. Also on hand will be Carol Maloof, the CMS acting Boston regional administrator, and Corinne Russo, director of the R.I. Department of Elderly Affairs.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the hotel counselors will be offering free open-enrollment assistance to Rhode Island seniors and their families, including information about how people with limited incomes can get financial assistance to help pay for prescription drug coverage.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is hosting events across the country to help people with Medicare make the most of their health and prescription drug benefits. Staying with one’s existing plan could result in significant premium increases or coverage changes in some cases, officials have warned, so it is important to carefully review the plan details.
Beneficiaries are encouraged to act quickly so they have a smooth transition into the 2009 benefit year. Along with the public events, information is available at www.medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
