Lincoln: Medicare Prescription Drug Enrollment Period is November 15th - December 31st

Press Release

Lincoln: Medicare Prescription Drug Enrollment Period is November 15th - December 31st

U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) today reminded Arkansas's Medicare beneficiaries that starting Saturday, November 15, they can enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or change their existing plan penalty-free. The six-week enrollment period for Medicare Part D ends December 31, and coverage begins January 1, 2009.

"Medicare's prescription drug program has provided drug coverage to many of Arkansas's seniors and individuals with disabilities who otherwise couldn't afford the necessary medications they now receive," Lincoln said. "I encourage all Medicare beneficiaries to look very closely at the program and determine which plan might best address their specific medication needs. As plans can change their offerings each year, those already enrolled should review their plan to ensure that it will continue to provide the drug coverage they need. Seniors should also be aware that Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called ‘Part C' or ‘MA plans,' are private managed care-type plans that differ from Original Medicare. MA plans may or may not offer prescription drug coverage and may or may not be accepted by your doctors and other health care providers, so it is important to review the plan options carefully. It is also important to understand that they are not supplemental insurance but are a private alternative to Original Medicare."

The Medicare drug program gives the approximately 507,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Arkansas access to prescription drug coverage. Lincoln warned that seniors who have previously automatically qualified for low-income subsidies under Medicare Part D may need to re-apply in order to continue to receive the extra help in 2009. These seniors should have received a letter on grey paper from Medicare in late September, and they can apply to their local Social Security office to see if they still qualify for extra help based on their income and resources.

In addition, Lincoln pointed to previous enrollment problems and encouraged Arkansas's Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in the drug program as soon as possible. Many individuals who joined the program in the last few days of previous enrollment periods found that Medicare had not processed their applications by the time the program went into effect.

Lincoln encouraged seniors to visit www.medicare.gov to determine how the program affects them or call the Arkansas Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) toll free at 1-800-224-6330 with any questions. Lincoln encouraged those with problems contacting Medicare to call her state office toll-free at 1-800-352-9364.

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