Des Moines, IA – Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries are provided an opportunity to review and change their Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from October 15 to December 7.   It’s important for Medicare beneficiaries to remember that Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan costs, benefits, and providers can change each year, so evaluating your options could help you find better coverage, and even save money.

Medicare beneficiaries will receive information about any plan changes in the mail. Most will receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in September from your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan.  This is a summary of any changes in the plan’s cost, coverage and service area that will take effect on January 1 of the next year.  Other Medicare beneficiaries could receive information that their plan may not be renewed for the next year, and they will need to find a new plan during the Open Enrollment Period. It is critical to ensure that all mail from your plan is read to stay informed about all possible changes.

“Navigating the Open Enrollment Period can seem daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone,” said Kristin Griffith, Director of the Iowa Insurance Division’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).  “We have well trained SHIIP/SMP counselors across the state equipped to help you with this process.”  Iowans seeking assistance can visit shiip.iowa.gov to find a counselor in their county, or find additional information on how to compare plans at shiip.iowa.gov/medicare-open-enrollment-period.

“There are a number of changes for Medicare beneficiaries to be aware of occurring in 2025 that are a result of the adoption of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.” Griffith added.  “These include a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug spending as well as the implementation of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.”  A summary of those changes can be found at the Iowa SHIIP website.

Key dates to remember:

October 15th Open Enrollment Begins

December 7th  Open Enrollment Ends

January 1st    Coverage Begins

If you’re currently a Medicare beneficiaries and have reviewed your plan changes and are happy with your current coverage, you don’t need to do anything during the Open Enrollment.  Help from Medicare is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

SHIIP/ SMP provides counseling, assistance and education to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers.  These programs help people navigate the complexities of Medicare and related insurances and prevent Medicare fraud.  SHIIP and SMP are operated by the Iowa Insurance Division, and supported by federal funds.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are joining the 46 other Republicans in the U-S Senate in co-sponsoring a statement of unwavering support of Israel as the country marks the deadly terrorist attacks of last October 7th. The resolution calls for the safe release of U-S citizens being held hostage in Gaza and the complete defeat of Hamas. Senator Grassley says the U-S stands with Israel in the face of ongoing Iranian aggression. Ernst says Iran is the main backer of Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi militants fighting against Israel. “National security — it is so important to every one of us,” Ernst said. “Take a look around. The world is literally on fire.”

Ernst says the Biden-Harris Administration has not done enough to deter Iran’s aggression.”They have open bounties on President Trump’s head, Mike Pompeo’s head, John Bolton’s head, you name it,” Ernst says, “active bounties on American citizens in our homeland.” Ernst made her comments Saturday at a fundraiser for Governor Kim Reynolds after leading a three day bus tour in Georgia for the Trump-Vance ticket. “Think about four years ago when President Trump was in office. The world was relatively stable. We had order in the Middle East,” Ernst said. “I know that we still had the Global War on Terrorism, but he was trying to wind that down.”

Ernst, who has made four trips to Israel in the past 12 months, says Israel remains under attack from all fronts and it’s time to cut off the source of terrorism from Tehran. In a statement released early this (Monday) morning, President Biden said he and Vice President Harris remain fully committed to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel and its right to exist and defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran.

(Anita, Iowa) – CAM Speech and Debate Head Coach Manda Thomas reports the CAM Debate team started their year off strong with tournaments at Johnston High School on October 1st, and the IFL (Iowa Forensic League) season opener at Dowling Catholic, on October 5th. Megan Gerlock and Sophie Herzberg participated in the Lincoln Douglas Debate at Johnston. Megan went 1-1, and Sophie was 2-0, in their first time competing. Creighton Kinzie and Declan Cambage participated in mixed exempt. No results were posted for them at the time of this article’s writing.

On Saturday, October 5, Sophie Herzberg, Megan Gerlock, and Macy Burg traveled to Dowling Catholic to participate in the IFL opener.  Sophie and Megan both participated in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate.  Sophie went 3-2 against some tough West Des Moines Valley, Bettendorf and Dowling Catholic students.  Megan went 4-0 and advanced to the finals against West Des Moines Valley.  In a 2-1 decision Megan won and was the IFL Season opener champion in Novice Lincoln Douglas. Macy Burg participated in Informative Speaking on Saturday.  She placed 4th overall with her piece on Natural Disaster Preparedness. (Photos submitted by Coach Thomas)

Macy Burg Informative Speaking 4th place

Sophie Herzberg, Macy Burg, and Megan Gerlock

Megan Gerlock Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate 1st place

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood say a man from Council Bluffs was arrested on drug charges, Saturday. 20-year-old Avery Clawson was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Clausen posted a $1,300 bond, and was released from custody.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent arrests: on Oct. 3rd, 30-year-old Christopher Wah Bryant, of Des Moines, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Driving While Barred. Bryant was released that same day on a $2,000 bond.

And, on Oct. 4th, 47-year-old Brant Alan Grasty, of Guthrie Center, turned himself-in to the Clerk of Court. Grasty was wanted on Adair County warrants for Harassment in the 2nd Degree, and Disorderly Conduct. He appeared before a magistrate on was released on his Own Recognizance.

(Creston, Iowa) – No injuries were reported, but a Creston woman was arrested following an accident Sunday night. Creston Police say a 2016 Lincoln MKX driven by 54-year-old Anne Marie Chapman, of Creston, was traveling west in the 700 block of W. Mills Street at around 9:10-p.m., when the vehicle struck a legally parked 2017 Jeep Wrangler registered to a Creston resident.

Authorities say both vehicles sustained front, driver’s side damage amounting to a police estimated $3,000, total. Chapman drove away from the scene of the accident, but officers eventually made contact with her and conducted an OWI investigation. Chapman was arrested for OWI/1st offense and transported to the Union County Jail.