With New Prescription Drug Coverage, Medicare Covers More Than Ever! by Mark McClellan, MD, PhD Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (NAPSA)—Starting January 1, 2006, dependable coverage for prescription drugs will be available to all people with Medicare. Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income, health status, or current prescription expenses.It’s time to consider how this important new coverage can makelife better for you and everyone youlove. How the Coverage Works Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance that covers both brand-nameand generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area. Private companies will provide the coverage through Medicare drug plans. To get covered, you choose a plan and pay a monthly premium. When you join a plan, Medicare helps pay thebill. How the Coverage Helps A typical person with Medicare and no drug coverage today could see total drug costs drop by about 50 percent. Even people who do not take a lot of prescription drugs now should consider joining. As we age, most people need prescription drugs to stay healthy. Signing up for Medicare prescription drug coverage can provide protection against very high prescription drug bills in the future. Extra help is available for people with limited income and cy) resources. People who qualify for the most extra help will have almost no drug expenses. How to Join Medicare drug plan enrollment begins November 15, 2005 through May 15, 2006. You must join a plan to get coverage. All Medicare drug plans will meet Medicare’s strict requirements, but they may differ in terms of costs and coverage. The choice you make depends on what kind of health coverage you have now, and whetheror not you already have prescription drug coverage. You will receive information on the different options that apply to yoursituation. How to Pay Less Joining when youarefirst eli- gible means you pay a lower monthly premium than if you join after the open enrollment period ends on May 15, 2006. If you don’t join a plan by May 15, 2006, you may paya late enrollment penalty. How to Learn More We urgeyouto join all of Amer- ica in learning more about this new Medicare coverage. Discussit with your family and friends. Keep an eye out for community meetings. For detailed information, you can look at the Medicare & You 2006 handbook, visit www.medicare.gov on the Web or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
