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ask.heather@mail.house.gov

In Washington DC
442 Cannon House
Office Building
Washington, DC
20515
202-225-6316 Phone
202-225-4975 Fax
In Albuquerque
20 First Plaza NW
Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM
87102
505-346-6781 Phone
505-346-6723 Fax

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Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico


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Help with the cost of Medicine... September 19, 2005
 

An introduction to Medicare Part D: Finding your way around the prescription drug plan resources on Rep. Wilson’s website:
  • Introduction to Medicare Part D
  • Medicare Part D: Step-by-Step
  • Extra Help for those with Fixed Incomes
  • Online Resources
  • Medicare Spotlights
  • Your Medicare Part D Reading Library





  • Starting January 1, 2006, Medicare will offer insurance coverage for prescription drugs through Medicare prescriptions drug plans and other health plan options. The new Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage will typically pay over half of your drug costs next year, for a monthly premium. It will also provide peace of mind because it protects you once your out-of-pocket drug spending is more than $3,600 in a year. Even if you don`t use a lot of prescription drugs now, you should consider joining. Your next steps depend on the type of coverage you have now. Answer the questions below as you consider your options under the new Medicare D. Important points you need to know:
  • Medicare prescription drug coverage helps you pay for the prescriptions you need.
  • Medicare prescription drug coverage is available to all people with Medicare.
  • There is additional help for those who need it most.
  • Medicare prescription drug coverage pays for brand name as well as generic drugs.
  • There are lots of on-line resources that can help you navigate the new Medicare Part D. Check
    www.Medicare.gov, or look below for a round-up of some links you may find helpful.


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    Step #1 - Are You Eligible

    Anyone who is eligible for Medicare (Medicare Part A and/or Part B) is also eligible for the Prescription Drug Benefit - called Medicare Part D.

    Step #2 - Deciding If You Should Join

    Please remember that the new benefit, which begins on January 1, 2006, is entirely optional. If you do not already have prescription drug coverage or you are looking for better coverage, the new benefit is worth considering. If you are currently enrolled in Medicare, an application and program information will be mailed to you soon—you may have received one already. The “Medicare and You” handbook will help you:
  • Check if your prescriptions are covered;
  • Find out which pharmacies the plans in your area use to make sure they are convenient;
  • Determine if the monthly fees work for you;
  • Choose a plan that is right for you!
  • Step #3 - Determining the Cost

    The "Medicare and You" handbook will help with this as well. In the mean time, know that the Medicare drug plan will charge a monthly premium around $37, and a yearly deductible up to $250. And like other insurance plans, you will pay a part of your actual drug costs. For those with limited income and resources, extra help may be available. The amount of help you get is based on your income and resources.

    Step #4 - When You Can Join

    Starting January 1, 2006, the Medicare that millions of older Americans have come to rely on will begin to cover the cost of medicines. But to take advantage of it, you must sign up. If you currently have Medicare Part A and/or Part B, you can sign up between November 15, 2005 and May 15, 2006. Coverage will begin on the first day of the month after the month you sign up.

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    "O
    ne of the first things you should do as you look at your Medicare prescription drug options is complete the form from the Social Security Administration. Filling this out will help determine if you qualify for extra help. If you don`t want to do it on-line, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
    --U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson

    Lots of people in New Mexico live on fixed incomes. You might qualify for extra help with the cost of your prescription drugs. But you won`t know until you fill out the application! You can do it on-line, or you can print it and mail it in. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to request a form, or to fill it out right on the phone with the help of a Social Security representative.

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    The links below provide you with access to the most current information regarding the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit that you will need to help you make a new decision about your Medicare coverage:
  • Your Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Options
  • Extra Help for People with Limited Income and Resources
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Introducing Medicare’s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs (PDF 623.9 KB)
  • En Espanol: Introducing Medicare’s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs
  • Partner Resources:This section gives CMS Partners valuable Medicare resources, materials, and training information.

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    My.Medicare.gov National Rollout Underway My.Medicare.gov - the Medicare Beneficiary Portal, is an internet portal allowing registered beneficiaries the ability to view entitlement, enrollment, deductible, and address of record information. Additionally, it provides beneficiaries with preventive service information and the option for web chat assistance for any technical questions. My.Medicare.gov is currently in the second phase of a national rollout to be completed in November 2005. As of September 20th, the Medicare Beneficiary Portal is available to beneficiaries in the following 14 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Watch this space for information about when My.Medicare.gov will become available to New Mexicans.
  • Preventive Services Start Now! If you`re new to Medicare, check here for information about preventive services you`re eligible for. Because the best cure is prevention!
  • 2005 Plan Benefits and Rates Available What are the Medicare Premiums and Coinsurance Rates for 2005?
  • Find available Medicare-approved drug discount cards, and compare prices for your prescriptions
  • Get Your Flu Shot
  • Medicare & You 2005
  • 2005 Medicare premiums and coinsurance rates
  • Order a Medicare Replacement Card Online

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    Still starved for more information about the new Medicare Part D? Scan this list of Medicare publications to find even more details! You`ll need Adobe Acrobat to see each of these files. If you`d like one mailed to you, call Rep. Wilson`s office at 505-346-6781

  • Do You Have a Medigap Policy with Prescription Drug Coverage? This fact sheet explains how the new Medicare prescription drug coverage works for people who have a Medigap policy with prescription drug coverage. (4 pages, 219.97 KB)
  • How new Medicare drug plans will provide you with high-quality, lower-cost drug coverage. This fact sheet explains methods Medicare drug plans use to design the drug coverage they offer. (4 pages, 432.80 KB)
  • Information for people who have a Medicare-approved drug discount card Read on to learn how your Medicare-approved drug discount card is affected by the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. (2 pages, 171 KB)
  • Introducing Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage This brochure provides basic information to people with Medicare about Medicare prescription drug coverage. This information includes who can join, when people can join, and when more information will be available. (2 pages, 2.21 MB)
  • Introducing Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs This bi-fold provides basic information to people with Medicare about Medicare prescription drug coverage. This information includes who can join, when people can join, what are the costs, and when more information will be available. (4 pages, 609 KB)
  • Medicare Covers America This brochure provides basic information for people with Medicare about Medicare prescription drug coverage. This information includes how Medicare prescription drug coverage works, how to get coverage, and how to join a Medicare prescription drug plan. (2 pages, 959.35 KB)
  • Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: How to Join This tip sheet tells you how to join a Medicare drug plan once you have chosen the plan you want. (2 pages, 410.35 KB)
  • New Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: A Message for People Who Care for Someone with Medicare This brochure explains Medicare`s new prescription drug coverage to those who make health care decisions for people with Medicare. (4 pages, 345 KB)
  • New Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage-Who Can Help Me Apply and Enroll? This fact sheet explains to people with Medicare who can help them apply for extra help in paying for prescription drug costs and who can help them enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan. (2 pages, 388.44 KB)
  • Quick Facts About Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage and Protecting Your Personal Information This fact sheet gives people with Medicare information on how to protect their personal information when dealing with plans and others about Medicare prescription drug coverage. (2 pages, 377.42 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs for people in a Medicare Health Plan with drug coverage This fact sheet provides basic information about Medicare`s new prescription drug coverage for people with a Medicare health plan with prescription drug coverage. (2 pages, 428 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs for people who get help from their state pharmacy program This fact sheet explains what people who get help from their state pharmacy program to pay for their prescriptions need to know about the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. (2 pages, 225.75 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs for people who get Supplemental Security Income This fact sheet provides basic information about Medicare`s new prescription drug coverage for a person who gets Supplemental Security Income benefits or help from their state Medicaid program paying their Medicare premiums. (2 pages, 400.59 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs for People who have Coverage from an Employer or Union This fact sheet provides basic information about Medicare`s new prescription drug coverage for people who have prescription coverage from an employer or union. (2 pages, 368 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs for people with a Medicare-approved drug discount card. This fact sheet provides basic information about Medicare`s new prescription drug coverage for a person with a Medicare-approved drug discount card. (2 pages, 225 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs for people with Medicare and Medicaid This fact sheet provides basic information about Medicare`s new prescription drug coverage for a person with full Medicaid benefits. (2 pages, 217.58 KB)



  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs if you applied for extra help This fact sheet explains what you need to know after applying for extra help paying Medicare prescription drug coverage costs. (2 pages, 420.26 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs This fact sheet provides basic information about Medicare`s new prescription drug coverage. (2 pages, 355.89 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription drugs for people who are Nursing Home Residents This fact sheet explains how the new Medicare prescription drug coverage works for nursing home residents. (2 pages, 335.34 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs for people with limited income and resources This fact sheet provides basic information about Medicare`s new prescription drug coverage for a person with limited income and resources. (2 pages, 226.42 KB)
  • Quick Facts about Your Current Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs This fact sheet explains to people who have current prescription drug coverage, whether their current coverage is considered creditable. (2 pages, 228.83 KB)
  • Quick Facts for people with a Medigap policy about Medicare`s New Coverage for Prescription Drugs This fact sheet explains how the new Medicare prescription drug coverage works for people who have a Medigap policy with prescription drug coverage. (4 pages, 424.96 KB)
  • Retiree Prescription Drug Coverage & The New Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage This brochure will help you decide if you should do anything other than keep your current retiree prescription drug coverage. It answers common questions about retiree prescription drug coverage and the new Medicare prescription drug coverage, and tells you what information you should consider - and where to get this information - so you know your specific options. (8 pages, 399.46 KB)
  • What Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Means for You This tip sheet tells you what to consider when deciding whether to get Medicare prescription drug coverage. (2 pages, 355.85 KB)

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