Making sense of Medicare part D

 For those of you on medicare or, if you're like us, caring for parents on medicare, below are some great tips for finding out about this HORRID medicare part D prescription benefit program.

Let me state for the record, the Bush administration strikes again, this time at the elderly and disabled with this absolute JOKE of a medicare prescription "benefit". Up until this took effect, drug companies were REQUIRED to provide special assistance for low income citizens - there was no cost to join the program and the prescription costs ranged from $5-10 per month for a 30 day supply. It was a federal program, so ALL pharmaceutical companies were required to provide the same benefit - it was very simple to determine eligibility, etc... My mother in law has used this for the past 5 years with no issues.

Now with this Medicare part D, my mother in law will be paying a MONTHLY premium of at least $28.75 per month + $30 per prescription per month or $55 for "brand,
non-forumulary" if necessary. It's highway robbery when you consider the fact that the pharmaceutical industry has been grossing the highest profits of any industry, save perhaps the oil companies.

AARP had this to say about it
Medicaid Overpays Millions for Prescription Drugs
http://www.aarp.org/health/affordable_drugs/a2005-04-21-medicaidoverpay.html

so... that being said, I wanted to point people to a terrific resource called "Benefits checkRX".

http://www.benefitscheckup.org/aarp

this is a simple questionnaire that will determine whether or not an individual qualifies for assistance including:

    * medicare part d prescription assistance
    * disability assistance
    * social security SSI, QLMB, etc... qualifications
    * section 8 housing, and more
    
    - note it asks for MONTHLY income, NOT gross yearly
income!

the questionnaire is anonymous, then spits back a list of recommendations.

If you're solely interested in finding the best option for prescription drug cards (there are MANY companies out there folks and the policies / costs vary WIDELY!!!!), you will have a chance to enter the prescriptions you take and it will also base the best option you have for saving $ with the different providers offering medicare part D prescription cards providing those drugs!

The open enrollment for medicare part d began November 15, 2005 and will end May 15, 2006, so... if you're already ON or using a plan - I would NOT recommend switching until you absolutely have to until PRIOR to May 15th, 2006 - if you enroll after that, you will face a penalty!!!! However, I see absolutely no reason to switch until it's necessary or unless you figure out it will be more economical for you - I'd love to hear ANYONE say that they are going to save ANY $ with this benefit - it's
very sad.

anyway - hope that's helpful to some! Please pass along to all interested parties.

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