Access to prescription drugs could be disrupted for hundreds of thousands of seniors, warns a nationwide, non-partisan seniors issue advocacy organization. "No one should assume that the transition to Medicare Part D will be glitch free," states Ralph McCutchen, Chairman of TREA Senior Citizens League. "So far, the roll-out to the new Medicare Part D drug program has been anything but that," he adds. "Every senior affected by these changes and their family caregivers need a back-up plan in place."

Medicare Part D has been plagued with problems since roll-out began. Major errors in information,[3] delays in launching Medicare's "Drug Plan Finder," the government's main means for seniors to learn about and compare drug plans, and the enormous complexity of the program are making enrollment extraordinarily difficult for most seniors and those helping them. TSCL is urging low-income seniors who receive their drugs through state Medicaid programs, and their families, to take action now to ease the transition on January 1st. Here are important things to do:

• Medicare beneficiaries, who received their prescription drugs through state Medicaid programs in 2005, should have received notification of the drug plan they are assigned to in 2006. Those seniors who have not received this notification, or who don't understand what to do, should contact their local Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227).
• Medicare beneficiaries whose free medications, through pharmacy assistance programs, is ending should apply for the government's "extra help" to cover prescription drug costs, if they haven't already done so. In addition, these beneficiaries will also need to select and enroll in a drug plan in order to receive coverage.
• Once a drug plan is selected, the formulary should be reviewed to ensure that all prescriptions are covered. A copy may be downloaded from most drug plans' web sites. Because beneficiaries have been randomly assigned to plans, they could find that some of their drugs may not be covered. If this is the case, they may switch to another plan, but they need to carefully review the costs and how they will be covered.
• Medicare beneficiaries may check formularies and switch plans, using the Medicare Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Callers may not get through immediately or obtain an answer immediately so allow for delays.
• Beneficiaries should consider obtaining a 90-day supply of all current prescriptions now before the end of December!

TSCL believes the complexity of the new drug program is not necessary and is an obstruction to enrollment. TSCL's grassroots membership is pressing Congress to replace Part D with a simple, easy to use, traditional Medicare benefit. "We are highly concerned that some seniors may be worse off in 2006 under Medicare Part D than they were before," states McCutchen. "We urge seniors to contact their Members of Congress and make them aware of how Medicare Part D is affecting you."

TSCL is a nationwide group of politically active seniors concerned about the protection of their earned Social Security, Medicare, and other retirement benefits. TSCL members participate in a number of grassroots lobbying and public education campaigns designed to try to ensure that governmental bodies, including the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, live up to their commitments. For more free information on our organization, please contact TREA Senior Citizens League, Department S609C, 909 N. Washington St., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314, or visit our website at: www.tscl.org.

[1] "Lawsuit Seeks Drug Benefit Safety Net", Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, The Los Angeles Times, November 15, 2003. [2] "Nursing Homes Brace for Shift", Cheryl Powell, The Beacon Journal, November 21, 2005. [3] "Official Medicare Handbook Contains Erroneous Information", Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, October 6, 2005.

Distributed by The Senior Exchange, Inc.
Serving The Mature American With Timely, Low-Cost, Self-Help Information

December 2005