KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | Help for seniors choosing drug plan
Member Center:
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) -- Medicare recipients have until December 31st to choose a new drug plan for 2010. Tuesday, members from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, spent several hours helping seniors through the often confusing selection and enrollment process. "They can explain it to me. I can't understand the letters that they (Medicare) write. I don't understand what they are saying. So, I have to come down here so someone can explain it to me," Juanita Whitteker says with a chuckle. Juanita had to wait in line to visit with a volunteer but says the confidence talking to an expert gives her is worth the wait. "I tell them what I want and they look it up on the computer and find it for me," Whitteker explains. The volunteers do not tell anyone what plan to choose, but can help the Medicare recipient narrow down the options based on their individual wants and needs. "They're looking at the dosage of the drugs that they need, the cost and whether or not they can afford the premium for that company they are considering. They're also looking to see if they have extra help through Social Security or if they need extra help. We can help them enroll for that too," RSVP Volunteer Manager, Ruth McCrea explains. If you missed Tuesday's enrollment event, another will be held December 10th. You can also make an appointment with an RSVP volunteer by calling 243-9839. They will ask you to bring your Medicare ID card and list of current prescriptions.
