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What's New? Medicare Prescription Drug Program Update 5/1/2005 - All Medicare beneficiaries will need to decide whether or not to enroll in the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Medicare Part D). This new program, scheduled to begin on January 1, 2006, will give you a choice of prescription plans that offer various types of coverage. The good news is that you have plenty of time to make your decision. These plans will be available for your consideration in the fall. Enrollment will begin November 15, 2005 and end May 15, 2006. Depending upon your income and assets, you may be eligible to get extra help to pay for the annual deductible, premiums and co-payments related to the new program. Beginning in May, the Social Security Administration will start mailing letters with applications to those individuals, who might qualify for the extra help. The letters will be mailed out based upon the last four digits in your social security number, so you may hear of others receiving the letter before you do. If you believe you qualify when you receive the application, please complete the application and mail it back immediately. For help with the application call Social Security at (800) 772 1213, Medicare at (800) MEDICARE, or SHINE at (800) AGE INFO. The SHINE Program is preparing to offer consumers accurate, unbiased, free information and counseling about this new Medicare Part D drug benefit. We are working with your Council on Aging/Senior Center to get you the information you need. Watch for a notice about forums that will be held in your community beginning late spring through the fall. In the meantime, if you have questions about Medicare Part D, or about any other topic relating to Medicare and/or health insurance issues, feel free to call your local Council on Aging/Senior Center to ask for an appointment with a SHINE counselor. You can also reach a SHINE counselor by telephone. Call 1-800 243-4636 (1-800-AGE-INFO) and press or say "2" when instructed to do so. Once you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number and a volunteer will call you back. SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) is coordinated by the Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with the Central Massachusetts Councils on Aging (CEMACA). Back to What's New?
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