WASHINGTON, D.C. – AARP encourages its members and all older Americans with Medicare to take advantage of the Medicare open enrollment period between October 15^th and December 7^th. Given the simultaneous open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, AARP is making sure people with Medicare know about the options they have during Medicare open enrollment, where to turn for help and helping to clear up confusion.

During Medicare Open Enrollment, people have the important opportunity to evaluate their current coverage and make changes they see fit based on changes in lifestyle, health status or personal preference. Changes that can be made include adding, dropping or changing prescription drug coverage or health care plans for 2014.

“Your health and prescription drug needs may change from year to year or the plan you have may make changes,” said Nicole Duritz, AARP Vice President, Health Education and Outreach. “That’s why regardless of whether you have original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s important to evaluate your choices during open enrollment.”

Information on Medicare Open Enrollment is available online through the Medicare Plan Finder atwww.medicare.gov/find-a-plan or by calling Medicare at 1-800 - 633-4227. When reviewing available plans, AARP recommends considering each of the following:

• Cost - not just the monthly premium, but the annual deductible and co-pays and co-insurance
• Coverage - the doctors and pharmacies included in the plan and the prescription drugs and other services you need
• Convenience – the accessibility of doctors, pharmacies and services and how they match your lifestyle
• Customer Service – the quality of service a plan provides. Quality ratings are available for most Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, so take a look.

AARP is also reminding people with Medicare that they don’t need to look in the Health Insurance Marketplace for coverage.  They should continue to visit Medicare.gov to find out about options for Medicare coverage.

“We know there are scammers out there,” says Duritz. “So we’re spreading the word to make sure Medicare beneficiaries know where to get accurate information.”

For more information on Medicare Open Enrollment visit www.aarp.org/openenrollment.

For more information on the Affordable Care Act visit www.HealthLawFacts.org.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

CONTACT:

Allyson Funk
@allyfunk or @AARPmedia
Media@aarp.org or 202-434-2560