Open Enrollment promotional Campaign - SHIINE



SHIINE’s Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Period Campaign

South Dakotans will once again have the opportunity to enroll in a Part D drug plan for the upcoming year. The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs October 15-December 7, and it’s a time when beneficiaries can:

• change to a different plan for the upcoming plan year;

• enroll in a plan if they missed their Initial Enrollment Period deadline; or

• disenroll from Medicare drug coverage (after understanding the consequences).

Part D plans will begin announcing and marketing their new plans on October 1, 2017. Beneficiaries will get their Annual Notice of Change letters by the end of September, 2017. Plan information is available in the Plan Finder Tool on . Now is the time to develop our strategy for helping South Dakotans during the OEP.

We have four basic goals for the remainder of this year:

1) ensure that South Dakotans on Medicare know about the Open Enrollment Period (OEP);

2) ensure beneficiaries understand that plans change from year to year and they should compare plans each OEP to be sure they have a plan that will cover their drugs and will be most cost-effective;

3) assist beneficiaries with enrolling in Part D for the first time or changing plans during the OEP;

4) identify South Dakotans who might be eligible for the low income subsidy (LIS) but have not applied and assist them with the application process if requested; and

5) increase awareness about the mission of the Senior Medical Patrol (SMP) and teach Medicare beneficiaries to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud, errors and abuse.

A key audience will be family members and caregivers of beneficiaries who can help identify seniors who may be LIS eligible, seniors who did not enroll when first eligible, and can help beneficiaries assess the need to change during the OEP.

➢ Our Challenge

Many South Dakotans on Medicare have no drug coverage and many of those may still be eligible for LIS. We need your help in reaching these individuals in your local community.

It is important that the format of the marketing materials enclosed remain consistent with the image of South Dakota Department of Human Services’ SHIINE program. All of the enclosed marketing materials can be edited to include your site location, community, and date and time of the event. Any substantive changes to this material and/or other media materials and/or educational materials require DHS approval. Feel free to call or e-mail me if you have any questions about this packet. I can be reached at (605) 773-3656 or via email at Jamie.Seiner@state.sd.us.

Please remember that the promotional materials enclosed are considered Public and Media Events (PAM) in SHIPNPR. Documenting your promotional activity will give you credit for the promotion of SHIINE and it will also provide data for statistical and grant purposes.

Thank you for helping this program reach out to your local Medicare beneficiaries. Together, we will strive to help many South Dakotans with their Medicare needs.

Marketing Materials and Guidelines

➢ Posters around the County

A sample poster is enclosed for volunteers to promote their counseling site within each county. This poster can be customized to include your site’s location and the date and time the counseling sessions will be available. As a volunteer, you should place posters in as many high-impact areas in your county as possible. Key locations:

• Grocery Stores

• Senior Centers

• Assisted Living

• Community Action Programs

• Churches

• Clinics

• Restaurants

• Pharmacies

• Retirement Communities

• Low-Income Housing

• Flu Shot Locations

• Hospitals

• Banks

• Nutrition Sites

Reporting: Report as a Publicity and Media Event (PAM) in SHIPNPR.

• This poster is considered Print Other Activity (#7).

• You will need to estimate the number of people that will see the poster, if you cannot come up with a good estimate you can indicate number of posters hung up in your area.

• Topic Focus: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage – PDP/MA-PD and General SHIP Program Information.

➢ Press Releases

We have enclosed the following pieces for you to use with media in your county:

1. Press release

2. Letter to the editor

Reporting: Report as a Publicity and Media Event (PAM) in SHIPNPR

• The press release and letter to the editor are considered Print Other Activity (#7).

• You will need to get the distribution number from the paper that this will appear in.

• Topic Focus for the press release: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage – PDP/MA-PD and General SHIP Program Information.

• Topic Focus for the letter to the editor: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage – PDP/MA-PD, General SHIP Program Information, Low-Income Assistance

o In the Special Use Field, it is considered a 1 for the MIPPA EVENT field.

➢ Newsletter Articles

There is an announcement and two newsletter articles enclosed; please be aware of the months specified on top for when to post these articles. The articles could be submitted to any of the following organizations who have a newsletter:

• Churches

• Utilities

• Hospital Newsletters (especially senior programs)

• Senior Centers

• Banks

• Senior Housing

Reporting: Report as a Publicity and Media Event (PAM) in SHIPNPR

• The newsletters are considered Print Other Activity (#7).

• You will need to get the distribution number from the organization that distributes the newsletter.

• Topic Focus: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage – PDP/MA-PD, General SHIP Program Information.

➢ Bulletin Announcement

A brief announcement to place in church bulletins is included for use from October through December.

Reporting: Report as a Publicity and Media Event (PAM) in SHIPNPR

• The bulletin announcement is considered Print Other Activity (#7).

• You will need to get the distribution number from the church.

• Topic Focus: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage – PDP/MA-PD, General SHIP Program Information.

➢ Public Service Announcement (PSA)

A brief announcement for radio promotion is included for use from October through December.

Reporting: Report as a Publicity and Media Event (PAM) in SHIPNPR

• The bulletin announcement is considered Electronic Other Activity (#6).

• You will need to get the estimated number of listeners from the radio station.

• Topic Focus: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage – PDP/MA-PD, General SHIP Program Information.

PRESS RELEASE—September - December 2017

| | |OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY |

| | |Hillsview Plaza, 3800 East Highway 34 |

| | |c/o 500 East Capitol Avenue |

| | |Pierre, South Dakota 57501-5070 |

| | |Phone: (605) 773-5990 ǀ TTY: (605) 773-6412 |

| | |FAX: (605) 773-5483 |

| | |Website: dhs. |

| | | |

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (Date)

CONTACT: (Regional Coordinator), (phone # for Regional Coordinator)

Local Volunteer Help Available for Medicare Part D Beneficiaries

(town), S.D. –Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) volunteer counselors will be available to help people compare their Medicare Part D plans in the (town) area by calling (phone number for local counseling site) for an appointment. Outside of (town) call (phone # for Regional Coordinator) for information on where to get local help.

Trained SHIINE volunteer counselors will be on hand to assist individuals with enrollment, answer questions and help fill out paperwork. The annual open enrollment period for Part D begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7, 2017.

Administered by the South Dakota Department of Human Services, SHIINE is a federally-funded program that advocates for, educates and assists consumers with Medicare, Medicare fraud, errors and abuse detection, and related health information, to allow consumers to make timely and informed decisions and access necessary resources. The program is free for eligible seniors.

For more information on SHIINE or open enrollment events in your area, contact your SHIINE Regional Coordinator, (Regional Coordinator), at (phone # for Regional Coordinator), or visit .

-30-

LETTER TO THE EDITOR —2017 (September and October)

Dear Editor,

Many people get an annual physical or check-up. I’d like to encourage another type of check-up—a Medicare Part D check-up. It’s easy to sign-up for a Medicare drug plan and stay with it year after year. But the State of South Dakota’s Senior Health Information and Insurance Education program (SHIINE) has found doing an annual Part D check-up can save Medicare beneficiaries money.

Most people can change Part D plans once a year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). Last year SHIINE volunteer counselors helped thousands of people compare plans during this time and found many Medicare beneficiaries saved money by changing plans. Part D plans can change premiums, co-payments, their pharmacy network and the drugs they cover each year. The best plan for a Medicare beneficiary in 2017 may not be the best for 2018.

Medicare beneficiaries in (name of county) County can do their Part D check-up during the annual Open Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. During this time, they can choose to change their Medicare drug coverage for the 2018 plan year, or enroll in a plan if they missed earlier deadlines. There are also people who may be eligible to get help with their Medicare drug costs, but haven’t applied for help with Social Security. If you’re on Medicare or know someone who is, share this important information with them.

The Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) program volunteer counselors are available to help anyone on Medicare with questions about the drug benefit. They can also help compare the plans currently offered in South Dakota and assist with enrollment in a plan if requested, and provide Medicare beneficiaries needed information to help them prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud, errors and abuse. To meet with a SHIINE volunteer counselor call (phone number for regional coordinator). SHIINE’s services are free, confidential and objective.

I encourage Medicare beneficiaries to complete their check-up now. Don’t wait until the last minute to make a decision.

Sincerely,

(Volunteer name or sponsor coordinator name)

(Title—either SHIINE Counselor or SHIINE Coordinator)

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE—2017 (October)

Watch Mail for 2018 Medicare Part D Information

October is the month to start your Medicare Part D check-up for 2018. Watch your mailbox for news about Medicare drug plans and changes coming next year. Look for:

• 2018 Medicare & You Handbook—this booklet includes a list of drug plans, premiums and basic plan information for next year.

• Annual Notice of Change—if you’re in a Medicare drug plan now, your plan will send you a notice outlining changes for 2018 including premium, benefits and formulary (drug list) changes. If you get your drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan, watch for the plan’s notice of changes for 2018.

• Creditable Coverage Notice from Employer Plan—if you have drug coverage from your employer/retiree plan you must receive a notice by October 15 telling you if their coverage for 2018 is as good as Medicare’s. Keep this notice with your important papers.

• —this Internet tool provides Part D plan information for 2018.

You will be able to enroll in or change your Part D plan for 2018 from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2017.

If you need help comparing plans or have questions about Part D, or if you want information on how to prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud, errors or abuse, call SHIINE at (regional coordinator phone #) . SHIINE provides free, confidential and unbiased information to Medicare beneficiaries. Trained volunteer counselors are available across the state to answer your Medicare questions.

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE—2017 (October and November)

Medicare Part D Check-Up—Choosing a Plan for 2018

Getting a Medicare Part D review is just as important as a yearly check-up with your doctor. Plans can change from year to year, so do not assume the plan you are happy with this year will necessarily be the best one for you in 2018.

Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 are key dates for a Part D plan review, this is called the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). During this period, you can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plan if you missed a prior enrollment deadline. If you already have a Part D plan, it is your opportunity to change your current plan.

The first step in your review should be taking a close look at any changes taking place in your current plan for the upcoming plan year—the premium, the amount you will pay each time you fill a prescription, if your pharmacy is in their network and the drugs covered by each plan (called the “formulary”).

The best tool to help with your review is the Medicare website, . This site allows you to enter your prescriptions and choose your pharmacy to get a comparison of the plans offered in South Dakota based on a total out-of-pocket cost. If you don’t have access to a computer, you might ask a family member to help, visit your local library or call the Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) program.

SHIINE is a program of South Dakota’s Department of Human Services which offers free, confidential and objective assistance. In (town), there are SHIINE volunteers available at the (name of site) offering free counseling services. Call (phone # for Regional Coordinator) for an appointment with a SHIINE counselor. Schedule your appointment as soon as you are able to ensure a counseling session with a SHIINE volunteer. Don’t put this important task off until the last minute. If your current plan will still be the best one for you in 2018, you don’t need to do a thing; your enrollment will continue from this year into next.

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT —2017

Time for Medicare Part D Review

It’s time for your Medicare Part D review. Every fall, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) announce changes to their premium, co-payments, pharmacy network and the drugs they cover. You need to check to be sure you have the best coverage for the 2018 plan year. Many Medicare beneficiaries find they can save money by choosing a different plan. During the Open Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2017, you can change your Part D plan for 2018 or enroll in Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) if you have not already done so. If you have questions or need help comparing and enrolling in plans, call the Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) program at (regional phone number).

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT — September - December 2017

| | |OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY |

| | |Hillsview Plaza, 3800 East Highway 34 |

| | |c/o 500 East Capitol Avenue |

| | |Pierre, South Dakota 57501-5070 |

| | |Phone: (605) 773-5990 ǀ TTY: (605) 773-6412 |

| | |FAX: (605) 773-5483 |

| | |Website: dhs. |

| | | |

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 1, 2017

CONTACT: (Regional Coordinator), (phone # for Regional Coordinator)

SHIINE Assists Local Medicare Beneficiaries with their Medicare Part D Reviews

(town), S.D. – It’s time for your Medicare Part D review. Every fall, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) announce changes to their premium, co-payments, pharmacy network and the drugs they cover. You need to check to be sure you have the best coverage for the 2018 plan year. Many Medicare beneficiaries find they can save money by choosing a different plan.

During the Open Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2017, you can change your Part D plan for 2018 or enroll in Medicare Part D plan if you have not already done so. Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) volunteer counselors are available to help you compare your Medicare Part D plan in the (town) area. Call (local counseling site phone number) to schedule an appointment and receive free, confidential and unbiased information about your Medicare needs. Outside of (town) call (phone # for Regional Coordinator) for information on where to get local help.

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|2017 |Open Enrollment promotional Campaign |

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