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Help available for Medicare Part D drug forms |
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Wednesday, 12 December 2007 |
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) director says there is free help available to those in the process of signing up for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
But, the key is to call now to schedule an appointment before all time slots are filled, said SHIP director Kimme Evermann, of the Senior and Long Term Care Division for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
For those unfamiliar with Medicare Part D, the plan includes 52 prescription drug plans ranging in price from $13.50 to $94 per month. The daunting task of selecting the appropriate plan can be made easier by utilizing one of the following options.
Schedule an appointment with a local SHIP counselor by contacting your local Area Agency on Aging at (406) 271-7553 in Conrad.
Deborah Pate, the Area III Agency on Aging counselor, tells the I-O, “There are over 52 plans available, just in Montana. We hope to provide you with information on at least five (5) that will address your prescription drug needs.”
Pate cautions seniors, “The Wal-Mart $4 program you may have read about or seen on TV is a deceptive ‘bait and switch’ tactic designed to lure customers into the store, only to find that the medications they need are not covered.”
She goes on to add, ”Make sure you talk to your local pharmacist before going to Wal-Mart.”
At the appointment, the information needed includes a written list of medications, Medicare card, preferred pharmacy and zip code. Again, appointments may be limited so be sure to call as soon as possible.
For the computer savvy, plans can be compared online at www.medicare.gov.
Beneficiaries can also call the national Medicare Hotline at 1-800-633-4227.
Those already on Medicare Part D will notice no major changes in the 2008 drug plans. But, Evermann said beneficiaries should still take time to review their plan every year to ensure it’s still the best plan for them.
The open enrollment process for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage has already begun and continues until Dec. 31. Plan benefits take effect Jan. 1, 2008.
Those eligible for the Medicare Part D benefit include people age 65 or older or those who are on Medicare and Medicaid because of qualifying disabilities.
Evermann also encourages those wanting to sign up to seek help from loved ones. “We encourage family and friend involvement in this very important comparison process,” she said.
In addition to Medicare Part D, other related benefits that can assist with paying for a drug plan include the Extra Help program offered through the Social Security Administration and the state’s Big Sky Rx program.
SHIP is an independent program funded by federal agencies and is not affiliated with the insurance industry.
For more information or an appointment, contact Deborah J. Pate, Area III Agency on Aging at 271-7553 or visit her at the Village Shopping Center, Suite 4.
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