Goodbye Discount Drug Cards; Hello Medicare Plan D in 2006

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 27 /PRNewswire/ — In 2006, the widely touted Medicare discount drug cards are out, and Medicare Plan D is in, for those seniors looking for relief from rising drug costs.

As of January 1, all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of income, health status, or prescription drug usage, will have access to prescription drug coverage through Medicare Plan D, a new option for seniors.

“Plan D is much more effective than the discount drug cards because it actually offers coverage — discount cards were just that — only a discount on prescription drugs and those savings varied from drug to drug and plan to plan,” says Jane Cooper, President and CEO of national healthcare advocacy company Patient Care, http://www.patientcare4u.com/

The enrollment period began nationwide on November 15 for Plan D coverage which begins January 1. The enrollment period continues until May 15. So far, 1 million seniors have signed up for Plan D, according to the Bush administration. Seniors can sign up for the drug coverage online through Medicare, http://www.medicare.org/ or through private health insurance plans. Discount drug cards issued through Medicare will be phased out by May 15, 2006 or whenever a beneficiary’s Plan D coverage begins.

As with most health insurance options these days, Plan D can be difficult to understand. Cooper suggests the following:

    *  Do your homework before signing up for Plan D through Medicare or your       private insurer.  Seniors should review their options and seek help       should they need it.  Many private insurers are offering informational       seminars.  Medicare has a hotline: (1-800-MEDICARE).     *  Research the cost of your prescriptions on various plans and compare       costs.     *  Compare deductibles too.  By law, no plan can have a deductible higher       than $250 in 2006.  Research copayments for your particular drug or       drugs.     *  Seniors must pay a premium for Medicare Part D as well as out-of-       pocket costs when they buy prescriptions.  Research your costs before       you enroll.    About Patient Care  

Patient Care has been providing healthcare/insurance advocacy services to employers, employees and consumers since January 2002 providing advocacy services for over 85 employers throughout the United States, covering 100,000 members. For more information visit http://www.patientcare4u.com/ or call 1-866-253-CARE (2273).

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Jane Cooper http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=108299

Patient Care

CONTACT: Mary Mouton, +1-504-269-4895, or mary@moutonmedia.com , forPatient Care

Web site: http://www.patientcare4u.com/http://www.medicare.org/