Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt and state officials urged Utah's 256,000-plus Medicare beneficiaries Tuesday to review their prescription drug plans by a Dec. 31 deadline to ensure they have the best coverage.
About 15 percent of beneficiaries are unhappy with their current plans, Leavitt said. The good news, he said: "There are plans that are less expensive for 97 percent of all of those people enrolled, so the chances are very good that if [the cost of] your plan has gone up, you can find one that fits your needs better."
With significant changes in premiums and coverage on the horizon, Leavitt stressed that beneficiaries need to enroll as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience at the pharmacy counter come the New Year. He called on the adult children of Medicare beneficiaries to pitch in and help.
"If there is a senior in their life -- a parent, an aunt, an uncle or neighbor who might need some help -- ask them over the holidays: 'Have you had a chance to check on your prescription drug benefit?' "
Thanks to the prescription benefit, known as Medicare Part D, 81 percent of beneficiaries in Utah now have drug coverage. There are 51 prescription drug plans to choose from in the state, with 26 plans offering enhanced benefits, 27 with no deductible and one charging a premium less than $25.
"Bottomline: Seniors need to be thoughtful and well educated when choosing their 2009 prescription drug plan," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "It's important to look at the premium rate for each plan, ask questions and review whether the current drug plan is the best deal."
lrosetta@sltrib.com
-- Visit www.medicare.gov to use the Plan Finder tool. Seniors can compare costs, coverage and more, and also get an estimate of their potential out-of-pocket costs for the year.
-- Call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048.) Around-the-clock help is available from trained Medicare representatives.
-- See the listing of plans in the Medicare & You handbook. All people with Medicare receive a copy of the handbook by mail and can review this along with the information sent to them by their current plan.
-- Talk with local Medicare experts at Utah's Health Insurance Information Program (HIIP.) Representatives are available to answer beneficiary questions about coverage options. 1-800-541-7735.
Medicare also has a Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program to help those living on low or fixed incomes. Medicare could pay for 75 percent or more on prescription drug costs for those who qualify (though most get 95 percent of their costs covered.) Beneficiaries can apply for help through the local Social Security office by visiting the Web site, socialsecurity.gov, or calling 800-772-1213.
