Medicare's New Drug Benefit: Worth The Effort

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Medicare’s New Drug Benefit: Worth The Effort Medicare Prescription Drug Plan By Tom Paul, Chief Pharmacy Officer of Ovations, a United- Finder that helps compare plans Health Group company in your areas. Other helpful Web sites include www.aarp.org and www.MedicareRxInfosource.com. $5 or less for many of your prescription medications. PartDCentral.com or www.family new, understanding how it works Signed Up Once you've enrolled in the plan, your acknowledgementletter from Medicare and/or the (NAPSA)—With Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage program, “Part D,” you could pay Because the program is still can seem challenging. Here are a few tips to help you get started. Step 1: Don’t go it alone e Talk to other seniors who have Tom Paul gone through the process. To date, surveys show the majority of people e Caregivers can go to www. caregiving 101.org Step 3: Make Sure You’re enrollment confirmation letter from your health plan serves as temporary proof of coverage. The letter plus your Medicare and/or Medicaid ID cards, will allow you to fill prescriptions until you receive your health plan’s ID card. eIf you are a Medicaid enrollee and have not received whohavesigned up for a Part D plan say their efforts to understand the plans and enroll are worthit. e Take advantage of meetings available in your community to help you understand the drug program and to get assistance signing up. information about which plan you local senior centers, the library, your 772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Check with the local AARPoffice, health insurer or other experts for educational events. Step 2: Learn As Much As You Can Go to libraries, publications and your Medicare & You hand- have been enrolled in you should call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 877-486-2048, (24 hours a day/7 days a week), or your State Medicaid Office, or the Social Security Administration at 1-800TTY/TDD users should call, 1- 800-325-0778. e Enroll before the 15th of the month. This helps ensure your enrollment information is in the book for toll-free phone numbers of the plans available in your area. e If you think you may qualify the first of the following month. MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 877- your Medicare Supplement plan provider: You may be able to real- Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD Medicare Part D. Remember, if you are currently eligible for Medicare, enrolling before the May 15 deadline will help you avoid late enrollment for extra help with your Part D costs you should call: 1-800- 486-2048, (24 hours a day/7 days a week), or your State Medicaid Office, or the Social Security users should call, 1-800-325-0778. e If you have Internet access, visit Medicare’s Web site at www.medicare.gov. It has a wealth of information, including a pharmacy computer systems by e If you currently receive drug coverage through a Medicare Supplement plan, check with ize additional savings under fees. While the process may seem challenging, enrolling in a Part D plan may save money and help you get the drugs you need now and in the future.

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