Changes Coming To Medicare Part D

Texas Medicare Part D

Our company is located in Texas and we provide Medicare Part D information to our customers. This article is about upcoming changes that everyone needs to be made aware of, whether you are located in Texas or not. So, Although Texas Medicare Part D may be referenced, it's important to realize that this is universal information.

Medicare Part D Changes

An anxious standing-room-only crowd gathered yesterday to hear about changes to the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage for seniors.

“This year, above all years, it’s very, very important that you review your insurance,” said Kay Barbee, a Medicare outreach consultant for the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging.

Barbee told more than 100 people crammed inside the Friends Room at the Columbia Public Library that there have been significant changes to many of the drug plans. Most noticeably, last year there were 43 stand-alone drug plans available, but now there are only 29. Barbee said seniors should not be alarmed at the change, as benefits offered in eliminated plans can be found in others, but they should educate themselves on the changes, she said.

“From now until Nov. 15, you will be inundated with mail,” Barbee told the crowd. “My only advice would be: Don’t set it aside. Because there are plans that are leaving Medicare, there are plans that are leaving Boone County.”

From Nov. 15 through the end of the year, seniors will be asked to participate in the annual enrollment period for Medicare Part D. The popular federal prescription drug coverage program began in 2005. Whereas seniors once paid hundreds or even thousands of dollars for prescription drugs each month, most drugs are now covered for a relatively low monthly premium.

Monthly premiums on the prescription drug plans range from $14.80 to $113.30.

But the price seniors pay for this benefit is a system that is often difficult to navigate. Each year, seniors must examine the medication list for each of the plans to ensure their drugs are covered. They must also look at the premiums and deductibles charged and make sure their local pharmacy accepts a particular plan.

There also is a significant coverage gap in most plans stipulating that, after receiving a certain amount of annual benefits, the recipient must pay for drugs out of pocket. This gap in coverage is nicknamed “the doughnut hole,” and Barbee said it is important for beneficiaries to figure out when or whether they’ll fall into it in 2011. Beginning this year, brand drugs will be discounted 50 percent for people in the doughnut hole, Barbee said. The gap will be phased out in coming years until it is eliminated in 2020.

But many in the crowd expressed deep anxiety about changes to the federal health care system. When Barbee explained the gradual elimination of the doughnut hole, someone yelled out: “By 2020, we won’t have any coverage, right?”

“I don’t talk politics,” Barbee replied calmly. “I’m just the messenger, not the policymaker.”

After the meeting, several Medicare recipients said they fear that federal health reform will be paid for out of reductions to Medicare. “The administration, they’re intent on ruining everything right now,” said Einar Palm, 87. “Most of us just want to find out where’s it all going.”

Others simply seemed dizzy at the array of options available.

“That’s the whole problem,” said Ken Toler, 65. “The age of the clients is beyond the complexity of all this. And they need an individual that just kind of takes them through and directs them into the right program.”

Help evaluating the plans is offered by Barbee and others at the aging agency via a toll-free number: (800) 369-5211. Consultants will also hold two events at the library Nov. 22 and 29 to help seniors sign up for new plans. Seniors are encouraged to make appointments for those events by calling the toll-free number.