Posted At Seacoastonline.com
BY : Deborah McDermott
Katlyn Blackstone of the Southern Maine Agency on Aging had no sooner finished her talk on the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan at the library Wednesday afternoon than the hands began to shoot up with questions.
More than 100 senior citizens packed the library meeting room for the presentation sponsored by York Hospital, hoping for some advice on what they would later call an overwhelming, frightening and stupefying process.
The federal government has mandated that anyone on Medicare must choose a prescription drug plan by no later than May 15, 2006. After Jan. 1, Medicare will no longer pay for prescriptions. Meanwhile, the government has turned over prescription plans to the private sector. Virtually dozens and dozens of insurance companies have entered the fray, sending seniors a mountain of literature that lays out a dizzying array of figures and options.
"This is going to affect every single person with Medicare. It doesnt matter where you live, how old you are or what your income level is," Blackstone said.
Those who are poor or disabled will have an easier time of it than those who are not, she said. Those on MaineCare, the states Medicaid program, or are in the DEL program (Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled) need do nothing, said Blackstone. The prescription drug plan will be chosen for these people, she said, causing an audible "ahh" in the room.
People with incomes of up to $19,245 for a couple and assets (not including a house or cars) below $23,000 will also be able to receive a drug plan without a deductible or premiums.
Everyone else, though, will need to be making some choices, and soon, she said. They will need to pick a plan from among the array out there, pay a monthly premium of anywhere from $19 to $65 for that plan, and in most cases pay a deductible. And if they wait until after May 15, they will be assessed a penalty for each month until they can enroll again.
People can go to www.medicare.gov, plug in information about prescription drugs being taken, and receive a printout of plans that will cover those drugs and what the premiums and deductibles will be.
Blackstone said she is aware many seniors dont use computers, but encouraged them to seek help from a family member, as this was the easiest route to take.
Questions ran the gamut.
"We have no prescriptions and would like to pay no premium," said one woman.
Blackstone encouraged her to enroll in a low premium plan because if something were to happen during the ensuing year, they would be without any coverage otherwise.
Another woman said she now got her drugs from Canada and asked if she would be allowed to continue. Blackstone smiled. "No," she said.
What if no one plan covers all the medications someone is taking, asked another person.
"Then you get in the plan that covers most and pay full price for the rest," she said.
She said every plan has an appeals process.
"I found a plan that will waive the deductibles," said someone. Blackstone cautioned not to be too excited "because theyre going to get their money one way or another" through higher premiums.
Blackstone strongly encouraged people who are having problems with the plan to contact their senators and congressmen. "Theyre the ones who can change this," she said.
