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What's New? Confused by Medicare D? 12/13/2005 - Q: Am I the only senior confused by the new Medicare D drug program? A: Close to a million seniors across Massachusetts are struggling with the perplexing number of plans and details about the Medicare D drug program. Starting January 1, 2006, everyone with Medicare will be able to get drug coverage. Seniors have until May 15th to pick a plan, with enrollment beginning November 15th. A total of 44 Medicare Prescription Drug plans are now available in Massachusetts, plus another 49 Medicare Advantage Plans offering drugs. To complicate matters, the Medicare & You handbook sent out to seniors had a number of errors in it. The Medicare D Plan will come at a cost to seniors. The average premium for a drug plan will be around $444 a year, and the deductible will be $250 a year. The plan works best for people with very high drug bills, but still leaves a significant cost for consumers to pay themselves. An elder with $425 a month in drug bills, for example, will pay $4,044 a year out of their own pocket (73% of their bills), and get $1,500 covered by Medicare D. There is a subsidy to help low-income people pay for the premiums and deductibles---but the middle class will still see significant out-of-pocket expenses. Before choosing a drug plan, the Center for Medicare Advocacy recommends seniors ask each plan the following questions: " Does your plan include the specific drugs that I take? " Does the plan charge different copayments amounts for generic and brand names? " Does the plan limit the number of prescriptions you can get in a month, or limit the number of pills or dosages available in a single prescription? " What is the deductible? Is it less than the standard $250 a month? " Is the drug store I most prefer to use included in the plan's network? Will I be charged more if I go outside the network? " Is there a cheaper mail order option? " Does this drug plan coordinate benefits with the state's Prescription Advantage program? The plan with the cheapest monthly premium may not be the best value. If you are on a drug plan now, call and ask them for help in weighing your options. If you, or someone you know, has access to the internet, go to www.medicare.gov, and look for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder. This service is expected to be operating from November 15th on. Also, make a written list of your drugs, dosage level, and weekly quantities, then call free 1-800 Age Info, press '2', and schedule an appointment with a SHINE counselor to sit down with you and go over your options. Choosing the right plan may seem hard, but not getting the help you need, will make the process even harder. Back to What's New?
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