The 2009 enrollment for Medicare Part D began Saturday and has seniors doing their homework to find the plan that fits their prescription needs.  But they're finding out it's quite the process, especially with 48 plans to choose from this year. 

When it comes to enrolling in Medicare Part D I can only tell you how confusing it is so many times...so I went straight to the source - seniors enrolling who are looking for all the help they can get. 

Enrollee Chelaine Nelson says, “It's very confusing.”
Gloria Sandman says, “It's rather confusing.”
“It is a little confusing yes...” John Long says. 

That's the response you'll get from just about any senior choosing a prescription drug plan. 

Nelson says, “I think you have to do as much studying as you can do, go talk to people that know their business and have a lot of faith!” 

Chelaine Nelson took a number at Tuesday’s Medicare Part D fair at the Center for Active Generations. She was merely one of hundreds of seniors looking for free advice and help. 

“There are so many different plans and there are so many different tiers and I don't think the majority of people, yes some, but myself included in the majority can't figure this all out,” she says. 

One of the largest concerns was an increase in premiums.
Long says, “What I can't understand is why they had to increase everything.” 

John Long's premium jumped from just more than 14 hundred dollars to nearly 3 thousand dollars. 

Gloria Sandman says, “A computer and I aren't - we're not friendly together and so this really helped.” 

But just a few clicks and she was locked in. Unfortunately, Sandman says the enrollment process isn't as stress-free as it looks. 

She says, “I've had a plan and I've been happy with it. But they dropped one of my prescriptions that is very important to me.” 

And like others enrolling who don't want to jeopardize their health, that meant it was back to square one. 

Medicare Part D Questions?
Help is available! Make an appointment to address your questions? Call SHIINE at 800-536-8197 or 333-3314 in Sioux Falls. Appointments are taken Monday through Friday, between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Or click here for more information.