Medicare Spreads News About Prescription Drug Program
BY ELIZABETH SIMPSON
THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
NORFOLK One of Medicares top officials met with senior citizens in Ocean View on Thursday, urging them to learn about the newest addition to the federal insurance for the elderly and disabled: prescription drug coverage.
Leslie Norwalk, deputy administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the new program which goes into effect on Jan. 1 may not be perfect for everyone. Just figuring out who will benefit is the tough part of the equation, said many seniors.
I still dont understand a lot of it, said 77-year-old Gordon Washburn. He and his 73-year-old wife, Marguerite, both have diabetes and considerable drug bills.
Norwalk conceded people might get overwhelmed with information in the coming months, as the enrollment period opens on Nov. 15. But help will be available.
Medicare has a toll-free telephone number, along with Web site information. Locally, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia has a cadre of insurance counselors who can talk with people over the phone or meet with them in person to walk them through the process.
Norwalk also encouraged seniors to involve their children, friends, neighbors or church members in comparing plans and making decisions.
When Norwalk said Medicare is hiring more telephone operators to assist people during the enrollment period, one senior asked, Are they real people?
They are.
Norwalk and other Medicare officials have been traveling the country since June, meeting with legislators, advocates for the elderly, and senior citizens to raise awareness about the upcoming enrollment period for the drug prescription coverage. Theyve already been to about 70 cities.
Norwalk told seniors that Medicare will send out a handbook to all beneficiaries in October that will list the various plans available to them. Those plans will differ by region and state.
Medicare beneficiaries can choose one of those plans starting on Nov. 15. If they enroll by the end of the year, their benefits start on Jan. 1. They can enroll as late as May 15 without financial penalties.
In Virginia, its estimated about 18 different plans will be offered by private health care groups. Every plan must provide a minimum level of coverage required by Medicare. Some plans will offer more coverage and additional drugs for higher monthly premiums.
There will be a monthly premium, a yearly deductible, and co- payments. People will choose a plan according to the prescriptions they need, the amount of money they want to spend, and the pharmacy where they want to purchase their drugs. They also may consider whether coverage they already have is a better deal than the Medicare plan. Retirees who are covered by an employer-sponsored program may find their plan to be superior.
Two of the plans in Virginia are expected to have premiums of less than $20 a month. The others will range from $20 to $35 a month.
Medicare will help pay for drugs up to $2,250. Once total out-of- pocket costs reach $3,600, Medicare will pay for 95 percent of the drugs for the rest of the year.
People with limited income can get extra help paying their premiums, deductibles and co-payments. People in those income brackets generally, individuals who make less than $1,200 a month can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling 1-800-772- 1213.
People who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, a state- federal insurance for the poor and disabled, need to choose which plan they want during the enrollment period. Otherwise, they will be automatically enrolled in one.
Norwalk also told seniors to beware of fraudulent companies or people making an insurance pitch that requires seniors to send them cash.
We wont be asking for money, credit card numbers or bank account numbers, she said. If anyone asks you for money, dont send it.