Medicare Drug Plan Benefits Begin
By: AARP Bulletin's Editors; Source: AARP Bulletin Date Posted: 2006-01-06 10:22:00-05:00
While federal officials report that 21 million Medicare recipients are covered by the new prescription drug benefit plan as the program formally begins Jan. 1, public and private education efforts for those not yet enrolled are being accelerated before the signup period closes May 15.
Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt announced the enrollment statistics last week. Over 10 million are covered by corporate, union or government retiree plans, another 6.2 million Medicaid recipients are converting to the drug program, 4.4 million are covered by Medicare Advantage plans and 1 million have voluntarily enrolled in the drug plan.
Leavitt said the target is between 28 million and 30 million. "While there is still much work to do, we are encouraged by the early results," he said. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), a congressional architect of the plan, also said he was pleased with the early results. "This is good news," he said. "No one should miss the opportunity to get coverage."
But enrollment is a complicated process. It involves determining which policies serve your area and comparing prices, premiums and co-payment requirements offered by the competing plans. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid offers the essential tool in evaluating plans, the Plan Finder, which is located on the CMS website, www.medicare.gov. The federal agency also maintains a telephone hotline at 1-800-633-4227.
AARP officials said that heavy volume on special phone lines and educational events throughout the country reflect great interest in the program. AARP's hotline—1-888-687-2277—can identify community services and sources for help and information. Private organizations and state and local offices are scheduling additional counseling sessions.
The following are several enrollment tips developed by the AARP Bulletin staff:
- Seek assistance, whether it's from a child, friends, a local government agency, a clinic or the local library. This is especially true for people who need help navigating the CMS website. The State Health Insurance information programs that operate in each state can offer individual counseling.
- Go to www.medicare.gov. Use the CMS Plan Finder tool on the website. It is an indispensable device and will lead you through the competing plans to help you identify the plans and the prices available in your area. The CMS hotline—1-800-633-4227—can also help you navigate the enrollment process.
- Be sure to have your list of specific drugs and dosages before you begin your online evaluation or call the hotline.
- Decide how you want to get your basic medical care. If you prefer traditional fee-for-service Medicare for your medical services, you'll need to choose a "stand-alone" plan for drug coverage. The alternative is a Medicare Advantage plan that provides both basic care and drug coverage, usually through a managed care (HMO or PPO) package.
- Take your time. Your deadline is May 15. Even if you've already signed up for a plan, you can still switch before May 15.
Additional Related Links
The New Medicare Math (January 2006)
Savings Are in the Details (December 2005)
A Better Bargain (November 2005)
Medicare Special Report: The Basics (November 2005)
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