New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders Who Use Retail Pharmacies
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-11-09 16:43:00-05:00
From AARP and The National Indian Council on Aging, Inc.
Important Information for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders
Starting January 1, 2006, Medicare Prescription Drug Plan providers will offer you the prescriptions you need. This new program will affect all Medicare eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Elders.
During the Fall of 2005, you will receive information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about this new program.
You may be eligible for Extra Help available from the Social Security Administration to help cover the costs of the premiums, co-pays, and deductibles.
If you have other insurance, you must check with your insurance benefits coordinator or local retail pharmacy staff to see if the prescription drug coverage it offers is as good or exceeds that offered by the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Many plans exist, so visit with your pharmacist to determine the best plan for your prescription drug needs.
It is important to visit with your insurance benefits coordinator or local pharmacy staff as soon as you receive notifications from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services or the Social Security Administration about how or whether to take advantage of your prescription drug benefit.
October 2005
You'll get the Medicare & You 2006 handbook in the mail.
November 15, 2005
First day you can join a prescription drug plan.
January 1, 2006
Your coverage starts if you joined a prescription drug plan by December 31, 2005.
May 15, 2006
Remember to join by this date or you may have to wait until November 15, 2006, to join a prescription drug plan.
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