Medicare Plans in 2011: Changes at a Glance

Once again it's time for people with Medicare to review their drug and health plans and, if they want to, switch to another plan with better benefits or lower costs. In the past, relatively few people took this opportunity. But major changes for 2011 Medicare — some the result of the new health care law — make it important to pay attention to what's in store for next year.

Being a savvy consumer means reviewing your current plan's costs and benefits for next year, which are all itemized in the "Annual Notice of Change" letter that the plan has sent you; comparing your plan with others available; and then, if you choose to switch, signing up with a different plan during open enrolment, which began Nov. 15 and ends Dec. 31.

Costs: If you fall into the Part D "doughnut hole," you'll get a 50 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs.

Premiums: If you pay higher-income premiums for Part B, you'll also pay a higher premium for Part D drug coverage.

Choice: Some current plans will no longer be available, but you'll still have plenty to choose from — between 28 and 38 prescription drug plans in each state, and at least 10 Medicare Advantage plan options in all but 29 counties.

Free services: Traditional Medicare and most Medicare Advantage health plans will charge nothing for an annual physical and many preventive services such as mammograms and prostate cancer screenings.

Capped costs: Annual out-of-pocket medical expenses (excluding premiums and prescription drug costs) in most MA health plans will be capped at a maximum $6,700 for 2011. Some plans have much lower limits.

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