Last Call for Part B
Enrollment
The last day of the 2001
Medicare Part B open enrollment period will be Monday, April 2. If you are
age 65 or over, retired, and not yet signed up for Medicare Part B, time is
running out. You must be enrolled in Part B to be eligible for TRICARE For Life
(TFL) benefits that start October 1 and TRICARE Senior Pharmacy (TSRx) coverage
that will start April 1. The only exception is that beneficiaries who
attained age 65 on or before April 1, 2001, will be eligible for the pharmacy
benefits (but not full TRICARE For Life). For those who sign up by April
2, Medicare Part B coverage will begin July 1, 2001. Those who will turn
65 later in the year don't need to worry about the April 2 expiration; they will
be able to enroll when they attain 65.
Part B premiums cost $50 a
month for 2001. There is an additional $5 per month added to the premium for
each year of eligibility that you delayed enrollment. To enroll in Medicare Part
B, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or contact your local Social Security
office. Further information regarding special enrollment is available on
the web at: http://www.medicare.gov/mepb.asp
