Program Description
Starting January 1, 2006, new Medicare prescription drug coverage
will be available to everyone with Medicare. Everyone with Medicare can get
this coverage that may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect
against higher costs in the future. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is
insurance. You choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium.
There are two types of Medicare plans that provide
insurance coverage for prescription drugs. There will be prescription drug
coverage that is a part of Medicare Advantage Plans and other Medicare
Health Plans. You would get all of your Medicare health care through these
plans. There will also be Medicare prescription drug coverage that adds
coverage to the Original Medicare Plan, and some Medicare Cost Plans and
Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans. These plans will be offered by
insurance companies and other private companies approved by
Medicare. Like other insurance, if you
join a plan offering Medicare drug coverage there is a monthly premium. If
you have limited income and resources, you may get extra help to cover
prescription drugs for little or no cost. The amount of the monthly premium
is not affected by your health status or how many prescriptions you need.
You will also pay a share of the cost of your prescriptions. All drug plans
will have to provide coverage at least as good as the standard coverage,
which Medicare has set. However, some plans might also offer more coverage
and additional drugs for a higher monthly premium.
If you have limited income and resources, you may be able
to get help with drug plan costs.
Starting November 15, 2005, you can enroll in three
ways: - Enroll online
on this web site.
- Call the plan
directly.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE and
Medicare will help you enroll.
If you have other types of health or prescription coverage,
for instance, from an employer or union, TRICARE
, the Department of
Veteran’s Affairs, a special program, or a Medigap policy, read all the
materials you get from your insurer or plan provider. Talk to your benefits
administrator, insurer, or plan provider before you make any changes to your
current coverage.
General Program Requirements
Important points you need to know about the new Medicare
prescription drug coverage: - It is available to all people with
Medicare.
- Almost
1
in 3
people will qualify for extra help paying for their drug
costs.
- It protects
you against ever having very high drug expenses.
- It pays for brand name and generic
drugs.
Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.
Program Contact Information
For more information about this program, please
visit:
http://www.medicare.gov/MPDPF/Public/home.asp
Information is also available at the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services website:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov
Telephone: 1-800-MEDICARE
To apply for this program, click
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020
Managing Agency
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
http://www.hhs.gov/
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