skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Shopping Isn't Over: One Week Left to Compare Medicare Drug Plans

play audio
Play

Monday, November 30, 2020   

BOISE, Idaho -- Idahoans may have shopped until they dropped over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but Medicare enrollees have one last thing to shop for: a prescription drug plan.

The open-enrollment period for Medicare Part D ends on Dec. 7, allowing folks to compare prices until then.

Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is the state's provider for the federal State Health Insurance Assistance Programs and helps folks looking at plans.

Shannon Hohl, program supervisor at SHIBA, said people should get into the habit of shopping for plans because they change year to year.

"It's really important for everyone on Medicare to at least take a look at what those changes might be," Hohl urged. "And then possibly see if there might be something that'd be a better fit, or maybe it'll be staying with their current coverage. But we want people to take a look."

More than 52 million people on Medicare are 65 or older. About 85% of people older than 60 take prescription drugs, making the open-enrollment period especially important for older Americans.

Hohl noted the open-enrollment period also is important if a person is on medications for the first time or their prescriptions have changed.

"Maybe this plan worked for them last year but maybe their medication is really expensive this year," Hohl outlined. "We would be available to help them take a look. Is there something that covers that medication better?"

Hohl advised people to start shopping as soon as possible if they're interested in changing their plans.

Folks can reach SHIBA's Medicare help line at 1-800-247-4422. Hohl added her organization will connect people with someone in their region of Idaho.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …


Environment

play sound

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …

Social Issues

play sound

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …


So far in 2024, community health centers in North Dakota have screened 11,580 patients for food insecurity. Through those screenings, more than three thousand box meals have been distributed. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

September is Hunger Action Month. In North Dakota, it isn't just food banks trying to help underserved populations get nutritious items. Health …

Environment

play sound

Marine biologists conducting deep dives near five California islands are collecting data they hope will strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing…

AI queries require about 10 times the electricity of traditional internet searches and the generation of original music, photos and videos requires much more, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

Environment

play sound

Rising demands for clean energy efficiency are producing a wealth of work opportunities in Illinois. These in-demand jobs are also promoting a …

Social Issues

play sound

Like polling from other battleground states, the race for the White House remains close in Wisconsin. But fresh numbers out this week show some …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021