FWD:Prescription Drug Benefit/Medicare Advantage Programs

RSD In the News : FWD:Prescription Drug Benefit/Medicare Advantage Programs
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From: byrd45 (Original Message) Sent: 8/31/2005 10:05 AM
Prescription Drug Benefit / Medicare Advantage Programs

A Call to Action from CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, MD, PhD
(CMS is the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is in the process of implementing the Medicare prescription drug coverage. All Medicare beneficiaries - no matter how they get their health care today or whether they have existing drug coverage - will be eligible for drug coverage under a Medicare prescription drug plan. These plans will cover both brand name and generic drugs. And, very importantly, there will be extra help for those in need, which is why I am writing this message to you today.

We are committed to making sure that everyone who qualifies for that extra help gets it. Almost eight million people will automatically qualify for extra help. Beginning in late May through June, people with Medicare and Medicaid, people in a Medicare Savings Program, and those who receive Supplemental Security Income will receive a letter from Medicare telling them they will receive the extra help automatically so they do not have to apply. V

If you or a loved one receives this letter please be assured that this means you or they will have continuous prescription drug coverage with small out of pocket costs.

Additionally, there is extra help for people who do not automatically qualify but who do have limited income and resources. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is working with CMS to help these people apply for this extra help and get pre-qualified for this assistance before the enrollment period for the prescription drug coverage plans begins in the Fall.

Social Security will be mailing a letter and an application to almost 19 million people beginning in late May and the mailings will continue through August. We encourage everyone who receives this letter and application to fill out this application so they can get the extra help from Medicare to pay for their prescription drug coverage.

This letter can viewed at VIEW THIS LETTER on the web. Select "Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs.

We're committed to making sure that everyone who qualifies for extra help gets it. Medicare and Social Security will be conducting thousands of community outreach events in the next six months to let people know about this important and significant extra assistance for drug coverage. We are working closely with hundreds of organizations, community groups and thousands of volunteers to help those who qualify for extra assistance both know about it and apply.

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To read the rest of this article and see the additional links contained therein, just click on the link below;

http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage.asp?PAGE_ID=33&PGCT_ID=3209