Medicare Part D
How to get Local Help with Prescription Drug Plans
The University of Florida, Monroe County Extension is coordinating with partners and volunteers throughout the Keys to help people make prescription plan choices. Individual help will be offered during specific times at senior centers, churches and health fairs. Partners such as Wellness Interfaith Network AHEC and AARP will be available for unbiased consultations Monday - Friday during open enrollment. Individual, local experts and advocates will help you check eligibility, compare costs and answer questions. Trained helpers will be able to enter your list of drugs and the name of your pharmacy, and tell you how much each plan will cost. You will be able to compare the costs of different plans and decide which one is right for you. In addition, advocates can help you look for alternate medical savings such as the Monroe County Prescription Discount Card.
For most people, the time to join (or switch) Medicare plans is November 15 to December 31, 2006. However, you can join a Medicare drug plan anytime before the end of 2006 if you make less than $14,500 ($19,500 for a couple). Also, if you turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare before November, you can join then. If you join between November 15 and December 31, 2006, your drug coverage starts on January 1, 2007.
Medicare Part D plans are open to everyone who is eligible for Medicare in the U.S. and they will pay for about half your drug costs. Participation is voluntary in addition, you get to decide if you want to enroll or not. The government pays much of the enrollment costs, typically about 75 percent.
All of the Part D plans are private insurance plans. Most participants will pay monthly premiums. That premium buys you the peace of mind of knowing that if your drug costs increase you will be protected. If you join a Part D plan, and use the plan’s network pharmacies, you’ll have access to discounted prices. Medicare D is considered a "safety net" in case you get sick and the medications cost thousands of dollars. The well-intentioned program continues to be very confusing to older Americans who are faced with choosing the prescription drug plan that best suits their needs. Medicare Part D is an Insurance Policy, NOT an Entitlement Program.
You will have choices in plans. Private companies run all the plans. Although all plans must meet the government’s requirements, there will be differences between plans, including what drugs are covered and what pharmacies you can use. Some plans may offer mail-order service. You will want to see which one is best for you.
You can choose to enroll beginning November 15. Just like other types of insurance plans, the longer you wait, the higher your premium may be. If you are eligible, and don’t sign up by the end of the initial enrollment period, which ends on December 31, 2006, you may pay more if you sign up later.
Most people will pick a plan based on whether they want a plan that covers prescription drugs only (a PDP) or a Medicare Advantage plan that combines medical benefits with prescription drug coverage (an MA-PD). How much it will cost, what medications they need to use and what pharmacy they want to use. You will find that there are many plans to choose from in your area. For the Internet savvy senior, Medicare.gov has a useful tool to help you narrow your search.
To get local personal help with Part D choices, you can call the Extension office at 292-4501 or 451-4234 in the Upper Keys. You can also call the Wellness Interfaith Network at Mariners Hospital 434-1027 for Part D choices. We can provide this service at any location. Contact us to schedule your group, event, or if you have special needs and we can bring this program to you.