March 31, 2006

The initial sign-up deadline for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit is May 15, so I'm urging unregistered older Americans to consider joining the 27 million others who are already participating.

Yes, I know there have been problems. I've stood up in front of rooms full of senior citizens and heard the anger, complaints and concerns about Medicare Part D. It can be disheartening to those of us who got into public life in order to help people rather than to upset them.

In response, let me quote from a New York Times editorial:

"[T]he danger is that the strains on [Medicare] will generate pressures for unsound change. They will come from those who will be disappointed because they have been led to expect too much as well as from those who will see failure in every shortcoming. Changes will come in time, but they should be made on the basis of Medicare's own experience. This great new experiment must be given ample time to get over its growing pains.

Actually, the above quote is from an editorial dated July 1, 1966, written about the start- up problems of the Medicare program itself. Every huge new endeavor has problems, especially at the start. But eventually, people settle down and figure out how things work or fail to work. Then they make changes and most find themselves substantially better off, somewhat better off, or at least not worse off.

I think that's the way it will be for the new drug benefit. And a New York Times story from March 26, 2006, seems to agree. The story tells of Virginia G. Shores of Tulsa, OK, who went into a pharmacy to pick up five prescriptions and thought she heard the pharmacist say she owed $250 - but was shocked to learn that what he had actually said was, "$50."

The story goes on to note the frustration that many seniors have had when trying to figure out which among numerous competing Medicare prescription drug plans they should choose. It notes the chaotic first few weeks of the plan in January when, due to various glitches, people couldn't get their medications. And it notes that there are people with good reason to be upset since the new plan has replaced previous private and public insurance arrangements which were, frankly, better for some.

But on balance, the Times article is quite upbeat about Medicare Part D. It notes a retired couple, the Browns, with combined drug costs of $25,000 per year who will instead pay $4,900 for their total of 24 medicines. Mrs. Brown said that she had been relying on free samples from her doctor, but felt like a beggar asking for them - and now that won't be necessary.

The people who get the most from the program are the ones who are prepared to sit down with an advisor to determine which qualifying plan does the best job of covering the prescriptions that they need. The process can be about as much fun as doing your taxes, and some people are clearly intimidated by the possibility of making a mistake. Those who feel overwhelmed should certainly ask for help from family members and others that they trust, and also remember that if you find you've chosen the wrong plan, you can switch during an annual "open season."

Further information is available at www.medicare.gov on the Web or by calling 1-800- MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. For more information on who can get extra help with prescription drug costs and how to apply, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov on the Web.