White Plains, NY - Options are available for Medicare beneficiaries who want to change their Medicare health plan and Part D coverage for prescription drugs for 2013 but cannot meet the Dec. 7 enrollment deadline because of Hurricane Sandy,  the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced.

Seniors should still make every effort to enroll by Dec. 7. But those who cannot should call 1-(800) -MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Representatives can help callers review their plan options and make a choice, even after Dec. 7.

TTY users should call 1- (877) 486-2048.

Coverage under the new plan will start Jan. 1, 2013.

Beneficiaries who do not live in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy but depend on help from friends or family who were, should also call 1-(800)-633-4227.

In addition, seniors can call the year-round Medicare Information Line at Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) at (914) 813-6100.

Seniors interested in learning about the Medicare Basics classes that DSPS will present on Nov. 15 and Dec. 4 should also call the Medicare Information Line. Classes will take place on the eighth floor of the County Office Building, 9 S. First Ave., Mount Vernon from 10 a.m. to noon.

The New York State Office for the Aging reminds seniors to be aware that even a devastating hurricane cannot stop con artists from making calls to prey on unsuspecting people. The state says that neither CMS nor the Social Security Administration ever call beneficiaries in their homes for their Medicare or Social Security numbers. Likewise, the office urges seniors to never give out their credit card and banking information unless they originate the call.

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