Starting next month seniors and disabled Americans can sign up for the new prescription drug program. It's a new prescription drug benefit in Medicare, and millions of seniors - including 350,000 in West Virginia - could find that it saves them hundreds or thousands of dollars a year.

Many Americans are reacting with confusion and caution, and with good reason. The new Medicare "Part D" is complicated enough that the government has already made two glaring errors in brochures about it. A recent poll found that a quarter of senior citizens don't understand the program, and more than half don't plan to enroll. I urge everyone who may be eligible to fully review the program to see if it can help with prescription drug costs.

Unfortunately, seniors and disabled citizens must also be cautious of possible fraudulent schemes when replying to calls and mailings. Two small scams have already been uncovered in West Virginia, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has already implemented a strategy to prevent fraud and abuse in conjunction with local law enforcement. CMS is also asking seniors who are unsure if a Part D marketer is legitimate to contact Medicare, the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General at 800-HHS-TIPS, or your local law enforcement agencies.

There are still serious decisions to be made by those who may enroll. Anyone with a supplemental "Medigap" policy will have to see how it compares to the new Medicare. Retirees who have drug coverage through a former employer will have to find out if that coverage continues and, if so, whether it's better than Part D. Senior citizens who buy inexpensive generics or imports from Canada should check to see if the Part D plans will deliver better discounts.

There are approximately 60 prescription drug plans in West Virginia and the plans are not all the same. Congress decided that there are certain requirements all plans have to meet. Different companies can offer different plans, as long as they meet that overall, Congressionally mandated level. This is why it's so important that plans be evaluated to see which plan best meets one's needs and lifestyle.

Currently, seniors and others experiencing problems with Medicare can call (800) MEDICARE or West Virginia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) office at (877) 987-4463. SHIP can also help you choose a plan best suited for you and your income level.

While I fully support a prescription drug plan for Americans, this program was not my first choice. I think Congress can do more to help Americans with the soaring prices of prescription drugs, such as allowing the federal government to negotiate drug prices under Medicare just as it does for veterans through the Veterans Healthcare Administration. I will continue to work to strengthen and expand this program to all who need it.