Seniors aided in Medicare drug plan changes

Seniors aided in Medicare drug plan changes: "Seniors aided in Medicare drug plan changes

January 7, 2006


BY KATIE MERX

FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER



Isaac Penson reads over his prescription plan. Penson of Detroit initially signed up for a plan that was too expensive, with a deductible of $250. (HUGH GRANNUM/Detroit Free Press)

Avoiding panic

*

Getting help

If you have a problem or need to sign up for a Medicare drug plan:

* Call the federal Medicare assistance hotline at 800-633-4227.

* Or call 800-803-7174 to reach a Michigan volunteer counselor.

* The deadline for signing up for a Medicare drug plan without price penalties is May 15.

* Coverage began Jan. 1.

* Patients who enroll in a Medicare drug plan in January will be eligible for coverage beginning Feb. 1.

Getting your MEDICINE

* If you have received your card, take it to the pharmacy.

If you don't have a card, take photo identification and at least one of the following items: The letter that said you are enrolled in a plan, the name of the plan, a copy of your application for the plan.

Isaac Penson signed up for a Medicare prescription drug plan before the new year with help from someone at his church, but he didn't realize he'd have to pay a $250 out-of-pocket deductible before the plan he chose would pay for any drugs or that the plan he chose wouldn't cover his blood-pressure medicine.

The 84-year-old Detroiter doesn't have $250. And he ran out of his blood-pressure medicine, Norvasc, earlier this week. He takes it to keep his high blood pressure from causing a heart attack, stroke or kidney problems."