Medicare Part D enrollment extended

By Angie Thompson, Senior Reporter

TIFTON — The open enrollment period for the Medicare Part D prescription drug program has been extended through Dec. 31 to give the 174,000 Georgia Medicare beneficiaries who are without prescription drug coverage the opportunity to enroll and for those who are enrolled to evaluate the coverage plan they currently have.

According to the Medicare Today campaign, 6.6 million people nationwide, or 15 percent of eligible seniors, are without prescription drug coverage. Prior to the introduction of the Medicare Part D program in January 2006, millions of Medicare beneficiaries lacked coverage for their prescription medicines. Today, 39 million of America’s 44 million beneficiaries have prescription drug coverage with more than 25 million enrolled in the Medicare Part D program.

“During the country’s current economic crisis, many seniors are cutting back and watching their spending more than ever,” said Mary Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council, which coordinates Medicare Today’s efforts. “The last thing that any senior should have to face is the choice between paying for prescription medications and paying the heating bill this winter. That’s why this benefit is so important.”

Linda Gail, coordinator of Georgia Care, an agency that assists the public with questions about Medicare, said her agency can answer questions people have about their current coverage or any changes to that coverage that need to be made. Georgia Care is a state agency under the federal government’s State Health Insurance Assistance program.

“One thing we try to help people understand is that even though they had excellent coverage in 2008, there are changes coming in 2009 and they need to make sure that coverage is sufficient before they get locked in,” Gail said. “Premiums might increase, co-pays might increase and drug formularies might have changed and medication might be taken off of the coverage.

“We encourage people to look at their plans even though they are happy with them because the changes in 2009 can affect them.”

Gail said the aging population does have difficulty understanding how the plans work and trouble getting through the process.

“They don’t have to worry about us enrolling them in something they really don’t want because we are unbiased,” Gail said. “They don’t have to worry about us having any underlying motives when we are helping them.”

Grealy said that even people who have been pleased with their coverage so far should take advantage of the opportunity to review and evaluate their current plans.

“Plans and costs change, as do prescription needs of seniors as they age,” Grealy said. “What may have been the best plan for someone a year ago may no longer be an option that provides the best drug coverage at the best price.”

Anyone with questions concerning their Medicare benefits may call Gail at Georgia Care at 912-283-7615 or call the Medicare hotline at 1-800-633-4227.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.

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