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Seniors Have Second Chance at Big Savings in
Medicare Demonstration Project
Program Can Save 90% -
Only 4,000 Enrolled for 50,000 Slots
Sept. 18, 2004 - The
Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging is encouraging
those on Medicare who have cancer and other serious diseases to consider
signing up for the new demonstration prescription drug assistance
program. The program offers great savings but few signed up in the first
enrollment.
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Story Announcing
Program |
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Medicare Lottery For Advanced Care Has Information
Website With Application Form
June 28, 2004 – Senior citizens and Medicare
beneficiaries with chronic illness can learn more about how to enter the
lottery promising 50,000 winners a free sample of the Medicare program
that will be available to others in 2006 by going to a special page on
the Medicare Website.
More... 6/28/04*
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Under the plan, Medicare
will pay for certain drugs and biologicals (vaccines, hormones,
antibodies, and blood products), which can be taken at home. The
coverage pays for up to 90 percent on the cost of oral and self-injectable
drugs.
"If you have a serious
illness and are paying for expensive miracle drugs, especially if you
are on a limited budget, I strongly encourage you to enroll," said Sen.
Larry Craig (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Aging Committee. "If you
apply now, there is a good chance that you could be approved."
The demonstration
program was made possible when Congress passed the historic changes to
Medicare last year. Enrollment was set at 50,000 people – but so far
only 4,000 have signed up. If Medicare receives more applications for
the demonstration than can be enrolled, participants will be chosen by
random selection.
"I think there is
probably a lack of knowledge about this demonstration program just as
there is with the temporary drug discount cards now in place," Sen.
Craig said. So far nearly 4.5 million seniors are now enrolled in the
new, temporary, Medicare approved drug discount cards which are saving
seniors nearly 20 percent off the retail price of drugs. Both the
current Medicare approved drug discount cards and the demonstration
program for major illnesses will be replaced when the full Medicare drug
benefit starts in 2006.
Under the demonstration
program, Medicare beneficiaries with cancer, multiple sclerosis,
rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious diseases who applied by August
16 of this year began receiving benefits on September 1. The next
enrollment period ends September 30 – those who apply by then and are
enrolled will begin receiving benefits by October 18.
Also, just like the
Medicare drug benefit, the demonstration program benefit allows
beneficiaries with monthly incomes below $1,047 a month for an
individual or $1,405 a month for a couple to reduce their costs for the
drugs included in the demonstration to $5 per prescription or less.
Beneficiaries with incomes below 15 percent of the federal poverty level
and limited assets also qualify for additional assistance.
A complete list of
covered drugs, and other information can be downloaded from the CMS Web
site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/researchers/demos/drugcoveragedemo.asp.
Customer service representatives are available at 1-866-563-5386 to
answer questions and help seniors obtain and complete the application.
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
