|
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT
|
Dear Friend:
On January 1, 2006, a new, voluntary Part D Drug benefit became available for
senior citizens and persons with disabilities on Medicare. I opposed the law that
created this drug benefit because I believe it does nothing to lower drug
costs (it actually prohibits Medicare from negotiating for drug discounts like
the VA and large employers do today) and relies exclusively on private
insurers. As a result, the drug benefit is inadequate and overly complex.
However, I want to make sure that you are armed with all the information you
need to make the best decision about whether to join and – if so – which plan
you should purchase that best meets your needs.
First, you need to understand that there is no uniform, national Medicare drug
benefit. In order to get the new drug benefit, you have to purchase a private
drug plan or enroll in a MedicareAdvantage (managed care) plan. Each plan
offered in our area will be different in terms of your costs, the drugs that
are available, and what pharmacies you can use. You will have the ability to
change plans once a year – but you can only be
enrolled in one plan at a time.
You have until May 15, 2006 to enroll for coverage this year. Private drug companies will be running ads, sending
you information, and calling you. Do not rush into
any decisions. Take your time,
understand your options, get independent advice, and make the decision that is right for you.
After May 15th, you can't enroll again until November
15-December 30, 2006, the next open season. But, if you enroll then, you
might face a permanent financial penalty in the form of higher premiums for
life.
You should seek additional information about the drug benefit itself; whether
you might qualify for “extra help” in paying drug costs based on your income
and assets; special tips if you are a veteran, receiving Medicaid or state
pharmaceutical assistance, or currently covered by a retiree or Medigap plan;
and information sources. I hope that this information is useful and that you
will let me know whenever you have other questions.
I have provided a list of different agencies and websites
that can help you in making this important choice.
Please click here to view this list. I will continue to post
useful information on the website so please check back on a regular basis.
Finally, I want you to know about two bills that I have introduced to protect
Medicare beneficiaries and improve the drug benefit.
H.R. 3861, the Medicare Informed Choice Act, eliminates the late
enrollment fee penalty for the first year, giving all beneficiaries more time
to learn about the new drug benefit, obtain independent counseling, and make
an informed choice. It also allows every beneficiary to change plans during
the first year and prevents employers from dropping retiree coverage for
anyone who enrolls in a Part D drug plan without knowing it could cost them
their existing benefits.
H.R. 752, the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choices Act would
require that Medicare offer a drug benefit and negotiate for drug discounts
for enrollees in order to reduce costs and provide a permanent, guaranteed
alternative to private insurance plans. Both bills have been endorsed by
groups like the Alliance for Retired Americans, the National Committee to
Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Consumers Union.
Sincerely,
Jan
JAN'S PRESS RELEASES ON
MEDICARE PART D
►SCHAKOWSKY CALLS FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL
►SCHAKOWSKY VOWS TO FILL GAP IN COVERAGE FACING MEDICARE DRUG
PLAN BENEFICIARIES WITH SAVINGS
►
Emanuel, Schakowsky, Lipinski, Davis, Durbin Mark Medicare Rx Deadline for
Millions of Seniors
►
SCHAKOWSKY JOINS SENIORS, ADVOCATES, HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATS TO CALL FOR
DRUG BENEFIT ENROLLMENT DEADLINE EXTENSION
►
House Democrats Call on HHS to Tell the Truth To Public Which
Insurance Companies are Telling the Truth About Part D Plans
►
Gov.
Blagojevich, U.S. Reps Emanuel, Schakowsky Urge IL Seniors
to Enroll in
Illinois Cares Rx To Avoid Facing Gaps in Coverage
►
New Push for Schakowsky Bill To Provide Uniform Affordable Drug
Benefit
MEDICARE PART D DRUG BENEFIT
LEGISLATION
In addition to H.R. 752 and H.R. 3861, there is
a sampling of some of the other bills that I support to improve Part D. Some
of those include:
► H.R. 5102, the
Medicare Drug Formulary Protection Act, to prohibit Part D plans from dropping
a covered drug during the year. Under existing law, a private drug plan can
stop paying for a drug during the year although senior citizens and persons
with disabilities are prohibited from changing plans if the drug they need is
dropped.
► H.R. 3151, to
allow coverage of anti-anxiety and anti-seizure medications like Valium and
Xanax. Current law prohibits their coverage under the Part D benefit, leaving
senior citizens who take those drugs (including 1.7 million seniors who had
received those drugs through Medicaid) to go without their doctor-prescribed
medication or pay for them on their own.
►
H.R. 4722, to eliminate cost-sharing for low-income senior
citizens and persons with disabilities who live in assisted living facilities,
group homes and other community-based facilities. Under existing law, only
low-income persons in nursing homes are protected.
