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Medicare Drug Card Not Necessary to Get Drugs on
January 1
Medicare says if you've joined but don't have
insurance card don't worry
Dec. 27, 2005 It's crunch time. Senior citizens
are still signing up for the Medicare prescription drug plan that is set
to begin on Jan. 1 and most will not have an insurance card to show
their pharmacy. Medicare says don't worry. You can get your prescription
filled before you receive you membership card.
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Seniors Who Don't Take Drugs Can Wait Until May 15
to Join Medicare Plan
Find a plan that will cost the least for not using it
before enrollment ends
By
Tucker Sutherland, editor
Dec. 27, 2005 Senior citizens who do not take any
prescription drugs may want to wait until 2006 to join a Medicare
prescription drug plan. You are penalized for the rest of your life for
not joining during this initial enrollment period, but this does not end
until May 15, 2006, although the plans begin coverage on Sunday, Jan. 1,
2006. The strategy is to also find the plan that will cost you the least
for not using it.
Read more...
HHS Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Figures Misleading
Families USA says administration's announced
enrollment hides true fact that only one million enrolled
Dec. 26, 2005 - The Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) last week released its most up-to-date report on
seniors enrolled in Medicares new Part D prescription drug benefit. The
report states that over 21 million Medicare beneficiaries will have
coverage on January 1, 2006. The following is a statement of Ron
Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, challenging the claims.
Read
more...
>
More
on Medicare Drug Program - click |
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Medicare officials say that as long as you sign up
by December 31st, your coverage goes into effect January 1, 2006.
The following key tips will ensure that you can
fill a prescription when you need to:
● If you have submitted an application, you will
receive a letter as proof of insurance until you get your insurance
card. If a letter has not arrived by January 1, Medicare beneficiaries
can call their plan's customer service office and ask for their ID
number, as well as numbers and addresses that pharmacies can use for
billing.
● If you have signed up very recently and arent
sure whether you have coverage yet, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE to
confirm.
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services
announced on December 22 that 21 million beneficiaries (seniors, people
with disabilities and retirees) will be receiving prescription coverage
as of January 2006.
Enrollment for the new prescription drug benefit
goes through May 15. The Medicare Rx Education Network has developed a
checklist to assist Medicare beneficiaries assess their current
prescription drug situation. The checklist, helps prepare them for the
enrollment process, is available at
http://www.medicarerxeducation.org.
Beneficiaries can speak with a Medicare
representative directly by dialing 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or
they can find a counselor in their area by calling Eldercare Locator (1-
800-677-1116). On-line help and information, including the drug Plan
Finder, can be accessed at
http://www.Medicare.gov.
Information source:
The Medicare Rx Education Network provides
information and assistance with outreach and enrollment for the new
Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. The Network, which includes
over 75 national organizations, is chaired by former U.S. Senator John
Breaux.
Members share an interest in educating Medicare
beneficiaries about the new Medicare prescription drug benefit and work
closely with the appropriate federal agencies to obtain up-to-date
information to ensure that information disseminated by the network about
Medicare Part D is factual and accurately conveyed so that beneficiaries
and their caregivers can make informed choices. By sharing information
with each other about member organizations independent efforts,
collaborating on activities, and identifying ways to work together, the
Network aims to eliminate duplication of efforts and maximize the
effectiveness of outreach efforts.
The Network does not engage in legislative
activities or take positions on pending legislative or administrative
policies related to the Part D benefit and its implementation.
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