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For too long, too many of our seniors have been
threatened with financial ruin because of
skyrocketing prescription drug costs. Two years ago,
Congress took action, crafting an historic Medicare
prescription drug benefit that represents the first
significant modernization of the program since its
inception in 1965. While I said then – and still
believe now – that this legislation is not all it
could or should have been, the fact remains that
millions of seniors will benefit over the stagnation
of the status quo. Open enrollment for this
voluntary new benefit has begun and will run for six
months, creating an excellent opportunity for
seniors in Maine to bring their drug costs under
control.
Since its creation 40 years ago, Medicare has
taken care of beneficiaries when they are sick,
covering hospital costs and doctor visits.
Periodically, the program has added preventive
measures such as screenings for colon cancer, but
for years, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and even
ulcers were managed only after they occurred, and
often through debilitating surgery. Today, these and
many other conditions can be prevented and treated
through medicines. The new drug benefit recognizes
this development, and it makes more medicines
available to our parents and grandparent to help
them stay healthier, remain more independent, and
continue enjoying their lives.
Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare will offer
insurance coverage for prescription drugs through
Medicare
Prescription Drug Plans
and
other health
plan
options. All Medicare beneficiaries are
eligible, and Maine's 93,000 most vulnerable seniors
will receive particularly strong coverage. It is
vital that seniors, with help from their families,
evaluate their needs and choose the plan that is
right for them.
In October, Medicare beneficiaries received a
handbook explaining the new benefit, how to decide
on a plan, and how to sign up. This is the best
place to start, but more resources exist to assist
seniors who are not sure about what plan suits their
needs. If you already have drug coverage from
an employer or union, look for a letter in the mail
that will tell you how this drug coverage compares
with Medicare’s. If your retiree drug coverage
is better, keep it. If it isn’t, sign up for
Medicare’s prescription drug coverage and keep your
retiree plan for its other benefits.
Medicare is working with people and
organizations at the local level to help seniors
understand the new prescription drug coverage and
the various plan options that are available.
Web-savvy seniors can visit
www.cms.hhs.gov
to use Medicare’s PlanFinder, which allows you to
plug in information and help determine which plan
makes the most sense. Seniors can also get
personalized counseling by calling Maine’s State
Health Insurance Assistance Program toll free at
(877) 353-3771 or visiting
www.maine.gov/dhhs/beas/hiap.
As seniors evaluate their options, it is crucial
for them to keep in mind that the benefit is
strictly voluntary - no one can require you to sign
up. You should be cautious with your Social Security
Number and other personal information. Your plan
should never ask for your credit card or bank
account information over the phone unless you’re
arranging automatic payments for your drug coverage.
Also, it’s illegal for plans to reach out to you
door to door or via unsolicited e-mails. If someone
knocks on your door trying to sell you a Medicare
prescription drug plan, it’s a scam.
The Medicare prescription drug benefit is a
transformational moment in the history of the
Medicare program – because now, there will be no
going back to when a quarter of our Nation’s seniors
struggled without any assistance whatsoever in
paying for the prescription drugs that can be the
difference between a decent quality of life, and
life itself. I urge all seniors in Maine and their
families to explore their options and take full
advantage of this watershed moment. |
