Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan open enrollment began Tuesday and Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) wants to ensure area residents are well informed about the many choices available to them. Next week, the hospital’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselor, Dee Schmitz, will be joined by SHIIP Program Development Coordinator, Becky Groff, to provide free, unbiased and confidential assistance to local seniors. Appointments can be scheduled on Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 24 by calling 712-655-2072. Participants are advised to allow for 45 minutes and to bring a list of all recent medications and their current or old Medicare cards. Iowa Insurance Commissioner, Doug Ommen, says there will be four new Part D drug plans available for 2020 and many new Medicare Advantage options. “The coverage and cost of Medicare plans tend to change each year,” says Amy McLauglin, CPA and Chief Financial Officer at MRHC. “Meeting with SHIIP representatives can help people understand the Medicare options better and potentially save them money as a result.” SHIPP is also reminding residents to do three important things during Medicare open enrollment. These include reviewing your plan notice, thinking about and identifying what matters most to you and then to shop the plans that meet your needs and fit your budget. SHIIP counselors will review plans but will not promote any plan or company.