(Iowa News Service) – People can enroll in Medicare or make changes to their supplemental and prescription drug coverage between now and December 7.  In Iowa, experts are also reminding people to check their options when signing up for health coverage through the federal marketplace.

Iowans on Medicare will have a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on prescription drug costs starting next year. Prescription drug prices on insurance plans can change from year to year. The Iowa Insurance Division’s Director for the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, Kristin Griffith, said it’s important for Medicare enrollees to pay close attention to their drug plans and their supplemental or Medicare Advantage plans.

“One of the startling stats we hear is that only about 30% of people actually check their drug plan or their M.A. plan during open enrollment, which is what we have right now,” said Griffith. “For 2025, we’re seeing a lot of changes in networks that plans cover.”

About 660,000 Iowans are currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.  For other health insurance, the open enrollment period in the federal health-care marketplace runs from this Friday to January 15 of next year. Chief Medical Officer for UnitedHealthcare – Employer and Individual – Dr. Rhonda Randall said in addition to checking drug prices, co-pays and other costs, it’s important to see whether a plan’s overall benefits have changed.

“Are your current benefit plans still meeting your healthcare needs and your budget needs, and has anything changed with your plan?” said Randall. “For example, is your doctor still in the plan? Is the medication you take still covered by the plan?”

Randall and other providers reminded people to look for mental health coverage options in their insurance plan, too, and whether they meet the needs of an entire family.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Jill Ozuna, Montgomery County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Office, Sunday (Today) announced the successful completion of public testing for voting equipment ahead of the upcoming general election on November 05, 2024.

The testing event, held on October 24th and 25th at the Montgomery County Courthouse ensured that all voting systems function accurately and securely. Representatives from the public, media, and community organizations were invited to attend the event, observing firsthand how ballots are scanned, tabulated, and verified for accuracy. All equipment passed the testing process with no issues, confirming the readiness of our systems for election day.

“We take every measure to ensure the integrity of the election process,” said Jill Ozuna, Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, “The successful completion of public testing demonstrates our commitment to transparency, accuracy, and public trust in the voting process.”

Public testing is an essential part of election preparation, providing an opportunity for community members to witness how votes will be counted and verified. The process includes running sample ballots through the machines to confirm that all votes are recorded and reported correctly.

The Montgomery County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Office encourages all eligible voters to participate in the upcoming general election. For more information about voting locations, hours, or absentee ballots, please visit www.montgomerycountyia.gov or contact the election office at 712-623-5127.

Key Election Dates:

• General Election: Tuesday, November 05, 2024

• Early Voting: October 16– November 4th

**Auditor’s office will be open Saturday November 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.**

• Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: Ended October 21st

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County are set to meet at 8:30-a.m., Tuesday** On their agenda are two items that pertain to 220th Street. The first is action on approving the donation of a portion of Clark Subdivision road to be called 220th Street. The second is approving an aggregate agreement with Jeremy Clark for the upgrade of the portion of 220th Street donated to the county. (shown below or here:220th Street Map)

In other business, the Board will discuss the removal of a fence on the County Farm, with action as necessary.

Their next regular weekly meeting takes place Wednesday, Nov. 6th, at 8:30-a.m.

**Please note, this is a public meeting; however, it may be conducted via ZOOM
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Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411
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(Red Oak, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a collision at around 12:40-p.m. Saturday, in Red Oak. Authorities say the accident happened in the 1700 block of N. Broadway Street, when a 2008 Pontiac Vibe traveling north on N. Broadway and driven by 61-year-old Aneta S. Parker-Housman, of Red Oak, turned to head east onto an unnamed road. Her vehicle was struck by a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria that was traveling north and driven by 20-year-old Owen Nathaniel Turnbull, of Red Oak.

The Ford struck the Pontiac on the front driver’s side. Damage amounted to $5,000 altogether. Red Oak Police cited Parker-Housman for Unsafe Turn or Failure to Give signal.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police report three recent arrests. At around 3:30-a.m. Sunday (Oct. 27th), Police in Red Oak arrested 50-year-old Shannon Ray Porter, of Red Oak, for one count of Trespassing/1st offense, and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Porter was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

Saturday afternoon, Red Oak Police arrested 27-year-old Destiny Jill Anderson, of Red Oak, following a traffic stop at 2nd and Broadway. Anderson was taken into custody for Driving While Barred. She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

And, Friday night, Red Oak Police officers arrested 31-year-old Steven Austin Ripley, of Red Oak, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. Ripley was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.