Have Medicare questions? Join a free “Welcome to Medicare” seminar on Tuesday, September 29th at Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC). The seminar will be held from 7–9 pm and is open to anyone interested in learning more about Medicare. To register for this session, call (712) 655-2072.
These seminars, offered by MRHC and the State of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), a free and confidential service, will cover Medicare Parts A & B benefits, Prescription Drug Benefits (Part D), Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare supplement insurance, and tips to help individuals identify Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse.
Even if you’re not eligible for Medicare, MRHC’s volunteer SHIIP Counselor, Nancy Danner, encourages early education. “The best time to start getting information is before you actually need it, so I advise thinking about it at least 6–12 months before someone turns 65 years old,” she says.
Medicare Part D Changes Expected for 2027
Medicare beneficiaries should be aware of potential changes to Part D prescription drug premiums for 2027. A government subsidy that helped reduce premiums during the transition to the $2,000 cap on prescription drug spending is ending, which is expected to result in higher premiums for some plans. The full impact will not be known until 2027 plan information is released.
Beneficiaries should carefully review the information they receive from their plan provider in September for changes to premiums, out-of-pocket costs, pharmacy networks, formularies, or plan availability. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15th through December 7th, providing an opportunity to review coverage and make changes if needed.
Additional Medicare Resources at MRHC
If you’re not able to attend on the 29th, an additional seminar will be held at MRHC on November 24th. Each session is held from 7–9 pm at MRHC and is open to anyone seeking a better understanding of Medicare. Attendees should enter through the Emergency entrance and follow the posted signs.
Danner is also available every Wednesday at MRHC for individual appointments. She offers guidance to help with Medicare decision-making and answers questions about benefits, plan options, and fraud protection. While she does not recommend specific plans or agents, she provides impartial, reliable information.
Anyone interested in making an appointment with Danner can email shiip.counselor@mrhcia.com or call 712-655-2072. If a client is only wishing to talk on the phone, they may leave their phone number, and Danner will return their call.
