Advocates say a new on-line Medicare Plan Finer tool could make it more time-consuming and difficult for senior citizens to research and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan this year.
There are concerns that the more vulnerable seniors, such as those who are homebound or don’t have internet access, will have trouble in having to make choices between food and medicine because they might not be able navigate the new plan in trying to make the best decisions about their prescription drug plans.
The new Medicare Plan Finder went into effect this past Tuesday.
It comes just two weeks before Medicare open enrollment begins on October 15th.
Millions of people aged 65 and older will be required to choose a prescription drug plan for 2020 before the enrollment window closes on December 7th.
In dealing with the situation, the National Council on Aging and others are urging seniors to schedule appointments with a Medicare counselor to ensure they get the help they need.