Main Line seniors racing to make the May 15 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan deadline faced several confused months trying to figure out which of the more than 50 plans would be right for them.
In the months leading up to the deadline, people debated that the plan was too complicated for seniors, and then everyone realized it was too complicated for everyone.
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act was signed by President George W. Bush in December of 2003. The act was designed to provide seniors with more options and more savings in their prescription drug plans. People were eligible to begin signing up in January of this year. The theory behind the plan was that private companies would compete to create the best plans for seniors to choose from.
Adults helped their senior parents choose the right plan, senior centers gave seniors advice and pharmacy staff counseled seniors about which plans would cover the drugs they take.
According to recent national news reports, the government estimates that about 90 percent of seniors signed up for a plan, leaving 4.5 million people still without prescription drug coverage. Some organizations like the AARP and some congressmen have called for an end to the penalty that would increase a person's annual premium by 1 percent of the national premium average for each month a person remains unenrolled. Those who oppose eliminating the penalty or extending the deadline say the penalty would only cost an extra couple of dollars per month, and certain people such a those living below the poverty level, would face no penalty. The next opportunity to enroll will begin Nov. 15 and run to Dec. 31, 2006.
Joseph Annarelli, a pharmacist at J.B. Merrick Apothecary in Ardmore, said May 15 wasn't very busy with questions, but some people have had problems trying to use their new plans.
Labels: No Prescription, Online Pharmacy, Prescription Drugs
# posted by Network @ 2:36 AM
