FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2005
Contact:  Joy Fox
(401) 732-9400 
 
Langevin supports easing burden of choosing a drug plan

 
(Warwick, R.I.)–Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today announced his support for giving seniors additional time to wade through the complexities of the Republican-sponsored Medicare prescription drug program.

“Although I opposed this legislation, I am committed to moving forward and ensuring the process of enrolling in a plan is as painless as possible,” said Langevin. “Our seniors deserve a less confusing, less expensive prescription drug plan. The least we can do is give them more time to understand their options to make the best choice.”

Langevin is cosponsoring the Medicare Informed Choice Act. If passed the legislation would:

  • Give seniors and people with disabilities an additional six months to chose a plan
  • Give every beneficiary the opportunity to make a one-time change in plan enrollment at any point in 2006
  • Delay late enrollment penalties until 2007
  • Protect retirees from being dropped by their former employer’s plan during the first year of the implementation of the drug plan

    Without these changes, beneficiaries will face a late-enrollment penalty if they enroll in a plan after May 15, 2006, could lose employer-provided retiree health benefits if they enroll in some Part D drug plans, and could be prohibited from switching plans until 2007.

    In the meantime, as enrollment gets underway in Rhode Island, creating the following checklist may prove helpful when it comes time to choose a plan:

  • The names of the drugs taken, the dosages and frequency (once or twice a day)
  • The pharmacies the beneficiary prefers using
  • The type of prescription drug coverage the beneficiary already has

    “My office is available to help answer any questions regarding the Medicare drug plan,” continued Langevin. “We should not be forcing anyone to swallow this bitter pill until they are ready to navigate this complex process and choose the best option for themselves.”

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