America's seniors who are looking to enroll for the first time in Medicare prescription drug coverage, or who want to change their Medicare prescription drug coverage plan, can do so beginning this week.  Open season for Medicare Part D coverage begins November 15 and runs through December 31, 2006.

Since November 2005, the landmark Medicare prescription drug benefit has been offered to America's seniors, providing on average $1,100 annual savings for those who previously lacked drug coverage.  There has been a very strong interest from the public in the new program, both nationally and in Alabama.

In June, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted that 38.2 million people had signed up for comprehensive prescription drug coverage.  This equals 90 percent of those currently enrolled in Medicare.  HHS further stated that 87 percent of the beneficiaries chose to sign up for drug plans offering more than the standard benefit.

At home, 620,300 Alabama residents with Medicare had a prescription drug plan as of June. This is 82 percent of the total number of Alabamians who are eligible to apply.  In fact, Alabamians' enrollment actually exceeded Medicare's expectations by 115 percent. As a result, Alabama actually ranked fourth among all states and first among eight southeastern states, in total percentage of Medicare-eligible seniors enrolling in the new drug plan.

Medicare-provided prescription drug coverage was a logical step forward for America's aging population.  Prior to Congress's passage of prescription drug coverage, Medicare had changed little since its creation in the 1960s.  Medicare had maintained a 20^th century attitude to 21^st century medicine, funding expensive operations but failing to pay for prescription drugs; many of which over time cost seniors a considerable amount of money.   In short, Medicare would pay for your operation to install a pacemaker after a heart attack, but it wouldn't pay for the heart medicine that might have prevented your heart condition.  This just defied common sense.

As we have all read, the new Medicare drug program suffered some start-up glitches as can be expected when a major new benefit affecting tens of millions of Americans is launched.  HHS has devoted much time and many resources to fine tune the system and seniors are benefiting.  According to the government, the average drug premium is less than $24.  Furthermore, some seniors have noticed gaps in their coverage provided under some plans, and they are encouraged to review their plans and switch to new ones as appropriate during this open season.

Medicare-eligible seniors are encouraged to take advantage of the new open enrollment period from November 15 to December 31, 2006.

For seniors interested in learning more about the Medicare prescription drug plan, they can contact Medicare at 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) or visit http://www.medicare.gov/.  The Alabama Department of Senior Services AGE line also offers coverage information assistance at 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463).