Medicare RX Deadline May 15
Arkansas Lawmakers Encourage Seniors to Enroll Without Penalty

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and Representatives Vic Snyder (AR-02), Marion Berry (AR-01), Mike Ross (AR-04), and John Boozman (AR-03) issued a reminder to Medicare participants that May 15th is the last day to sign-up for Medicare Part D without facing a higher premium.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 took effect on January 1st of this year. New Medicare prescription drug plans are replacing the previous Medicare-approved drug discount cards. The deadline to sign up for one of the new plans without facing a penalty is May 15th.   While signing up for one of the new plans is voluntary, if a Medicare participant chooses to sign up after May 15th there will be a penalty of 1% of the premium per month for each month after the deadline.  This penalty lasts for the life of the applicant. 

For additional information and to enroll in one of the plans, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov. The Seniors Health Insurance Information Program in Arkansas also provides free counseling to Arkansans on Medicare. Their toll-free number is 1-800-224-6330. 

Additionally, the Social Security Administration is administering a program to help low income seniors receive extra financial assistance with their drug costs through the new Medicare prescription drug bill.  The “Extra Help” will help cover premiums and deductibles expected to be associated with the new plans.   For an application to receive Extra Help, or for more information call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp