Congressman Brown Urges Seniors to Consider Medicare Part D

Congressman Brown Urges Seniors to Consider Medicare Part D

With less than a week before the May 15th deadline for penalty-free enrollment in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) urged his constituents to review their needs and the options available under this program.

Medicare Part D offers many Seniors a prescription drug plan for the first time, Brown said. Some low-income Seniors qualify for these benefits with no monthly premium or co-payment, through their Medicare Subsidy.

Brown explained other benefits of Part D by saying, This program is unique in that it allows participants the flexibility to make a choice based on their individual medication needs. It's not a ‘one-size-fits-all' plan

Some eligible participants recognize that their existing coverage through former employers or the VA is adequate and have chosen not to enroll. The call to beat the May 15th deadline is aimed primarily at those individuals without any existing coverage for their medication needs, Brown noted.

Addressing the so-called ‘penalty' for late enrollment, Brown said the amount is not as great as may be perceived. As an example, the next open-enrollment period after May 15, 2006 will begin on November 15, 2006 and run through December 31, 2006. The penalty for filing during this period is approximately $2.25 per month.

Medicare Part D remains a great improvement to millions of Seniors and other eligible participants who previously had no prescription coverage, Brown said. I encourage all those who may be eligible to consider this program. The resources of my office are available to anyone requiring assistance in reviewing their options.

http://brown.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=43536