Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is Almost Here: October 15 - December 7

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

For the 2018 Medicare open enrollment toolkit and Plan Finder resources, go to CMS.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Training/CMSNationalTrainingProgram/National-Training-Program-Resources.html. For plan information or to compare plans, go to Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

For a copy of the Medicare Open Enrollment flyer you can use for your open enrollment events, go to CMS.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Reach-Out/Find-tools-to-help-you-help-others/Medicare-Open-Enrollment-editable-flyer.pdf.

Monthly Learning Series Webinar

October 12, 2017 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET

This webinar will provide an overview of current topics for the Medicare and Marketplace Programs including legislative updates and new policies.

To join the webinar, visit goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1129998&tp_key=25e49792bd.

New / Updated CMS Publications

Yearly Medicare Plan Review

4 Ways to Help Lower your Medicare Prescription Drug Costs

Information Patients Can Use On: Open Payments

Medicare and Other Health Benefits: Your Guide to Who Pays First

Medicare and Home Health Care

Newly Posted Training Materials

2017 Medicare Plan Finder Updates

Module 1: Understanding Medicare/ Interactive Medicare 101 PowerPoint and Workbook

Module 3: Medigap (English and Spanish versions) - Reposted

Module 7: Medicare Preventive Services (English and Spanish versions) – Reposted

Module 10: Fraud and Abuse Prevention (English and Spanish versions) – Reposted

Did You Know?

October 5th marks National Depression Screening Day. Do you know about depression screening tools and how often these tools can be used as part of the free preventive service offered in the Wellness Visits? Refresh your memory by reviewing the NTP “Preventive Services” module, available in English and Spanish.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To learn more about breast cancer symptoms, risk factors and screening, visit CDC.gov/cancer/breast/. A mammogram is a preventive screening that is covered by Medicare Part B. For more information, visit Medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms.html.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Learn the details of what’s covered at Medicare.gov, as well as the latest on Medicare Limits on Therapy Services.