Sign up for Congressman Israel's Email Updates on important issues that affect Long Island communities and people.

Congressman Israel wants to hear from you!! Fill out an Online Survey to register your views on issues important to you.

If you are having trouble finding the information you need, check out the Directory for a complete list of this site's content or perform a Search by key word. For these options and more, visit Site Help.

Important note: Some files on this page are in PDF format. If you are having trouble opening links marked PDF, you may need to download a free copy of Adobe® Reader.

You are at: Home >> Constituent Services >> Assistance >> Medicare

Medicare Prescription Drug
Resource Center

Access to affordable prescription drugs continues to pose a mounting challenge to Long Island seniors. Unfortunately, the cost of prescription drugs is increasing at double-digit rates. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) included provisions intended to decrease the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare recipients. Along with the new prescription drug savings card, the MMA establishes a new, voluntary prescription drug benefit for all Medicare recipients.

Although I believe the drug plan could be much improved, I want my constituents to have all the information they need to make their decisions and get the best deal they can from this program. Please note that the details of the individual plans that will be offered will not be released until later this year. I will continue to update this page as more information becomes available. In the meantime, I hope that you, my constituents, will find the tools you need to determine the usefulness of the plan for your prescription drug needs. Please know that I will continue fighting to ensure that all of our community’s seniors have access to safe, affordable prescription drugs.

--Rep. Steve Israel

Who Can Enroll in Medicare’s New Prescription Drug Benefit?

When to Enroll?

• Join between November 15, 2005, and December 31, 2006 and coverage will begin on January 1, 2006
• Join between January 1, 2006, and May 15, 2006 and coverage will begin the first day of the month after the month joined

• If you enroll after May 15, 2006, you will pay a penalty in the form of an increased premium (the cost of your premium will increase 1% for each month that you wait to enroll)
• Your future opportunities to enroll may be limited to November 15–December 31 of each year

What is the Cost of the New Prescription Drug Benefit?

• Plans will vary in cost and coverage, but must provide standard coverage
• Generically, standard coverage works so that beneficiaries pay a premium, a yearly deductible and part of the cost of covered prescription drugs:
• Pay a premium of about $37 each month (this is in addition to the Part B premium; the enhanced benefit may cost more)
• Pay a yearly deductible up to $250
• Pay part of the cost of covered prescription drugs

• You pay 25% of drug costs from $250 to $2,250; Medicare will pay 75 percent
• You pay 100% of drug costs from $2,250 to $5,100
• After your total drug costs reach $5,100 and you have paid $3,600 in out-of-pocket costs, you pay only 5% of any costs above $5,100; Medicare will pay the other 95 percent

Things You Should Consider

• Are prescription drugs covered?
• What are the out-of-pocket costs?

• People with limited resources can get extra help with their Medicare drug plans costs
• Those with lowest incomes will pay no premiums or deductibles and pay small or no copayments
• Those with slightly higher incomes will pay a reduced deductible

• Are your prescriptions covered by the plan that you select?

To Get Help Paying for the Cost of Prescription Drug Plans

If you have Medicare and have limited income and resources, you may qualify for extra help paying for prescription drugs.

What do I need to know?

Back to Assistance | Back to Constituent Services | Back to Home