Medicare Prescription Drug Enrollment:
Federal Benefit Alert
On December 8, 2003, the President signed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act. This was a very close and controversial vote in the House of Representatives. I believe that Medicare should provide a prescription drug benefit, but the plan should benefit our seniors. In the coming months there will be many revelations about how costly the plan that was forced through Congress will be. I will keep you informed as the Government Reform Committee investigates program instituted by the Department of Health and Human Services. If you do not feel your needs are met please alert my office, contact any senior organization that you belong to, and let President Bush know.
Meanwhile, all qualified seniors should make an educated choice on the benefits provided. The Act creates a prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries and establishes a new Medicare Advantage program to replace the Medicare+Choice program. The prescription drug benefit, which begins on January 1, 2006, is voluntary and you will pay a monthly premium after enrolling. Please visit our website for further instructions. The expected release of enrollment information is in October 2005.
The legislation establishes a new Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program under a new Part D of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Beneficiaries will be able to purchase either "standard coverage" or alternative coverage with actuarially equivalent benefits. Low-income subsidies will be provided for persons with incomes below 150% of poverty. Coverage will be provided through prescription drug plans or Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans. The program will rely on private plans to provide coverage and to bear some of the financial risk for drug costs.
Further information can be found at: the Medicare Web site and select "Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs" or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-800-486-2048.