Medicare Prescription Drug Deadline is Fast Approaching

MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING
Monday October 03, 2005

Attention seniors: an important deadline is quickly approaching and it can seriously impact your health.

On November 15th, Medicare will begin enrolling people into a new reliable and affordable prescription drug insurance plan. This voluntary coverage, which will go into effect on January 1, 2006, can help up to 42 million Americans pay for the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy. Everyone currently on Medicare can choose to sign up for this plan, regardless of their income level, health status or current prescription expenses.

This plan is one of the biggest changes to happen to Medicare in its 40 year history. Medicare has always provided coverage for doctor visits and hospital stays, but has not covered prescription drugs until now.

Medicare prescription drug coverage can cover both brand name and generic drugs at participating pharmacies. A typical person on Medicare could see his or her total drug expenses drop by nearly 50 percent. Those with limited income and resources could have nearly no expenses at all.

Private companies will provide the insurance. Beneficiaries simply have to choose a plan and pay a monthly premium. Medicare will help them pay for this bill.

Before someone makes a decision, he or she needs to determine if they already have prescription drug coverage. It is important to see if a current insurance plan covers as much as the Medicare plan. It is also important to find out if Medicare covers the prescription drugs needed and if a premium will rise with a Medicare plan.

This month, those on Medicare will receive additional information in the mail about the different prescription drug plans available. I encourage them to carefully review their options and pick a plan that best suits their needs.

Once people have picked a plan, they can join by filling out a paper application, filling out a form on www.medicare.gov or joining on the insurance company's Web site.

Even if someone is a Medicare beneficiary who doesn't take many prescription drugs, he or she should still consider signing up for a drug plan. As most people get older, they will need prescription drugs at some point. Like all good insurance, this coverage gives the assurance that prescriptions are available if you ever need them.

I also urge those who have family and friends on Medicare to help spread the word before enrollment begins on November 15, 2005.

Help your loved ones prepare for enrollment by making a list of the person's medications, including dosages. They will need this information when they look into the prescription coverage plans offered in their area.

Seniors deserve access to the prescriptions and health care they need. I will continue to help these folks by working to improve existing programs. But I also want to make clear that it is very important for them to understand and take advantage of the many new benefits now available. For more information, call 1-888-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.

It is important for seniors on Medicare to arm themselves with the facts and make an informed decision. There are benefits out there. Don't let this deadline pass you by.

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