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The The Medicare Medicare Drug Drug Benefit: Benefit: Coming Coming Soon Soon to to Y YYour
Y our Community
Community
Brief Brief Facts Facts About About About the the Medicare Medicare Drug Drug Benefit
Benefit
• Benefits will begin on January 1, 2006
• Benefits will only be provided through private
entities, either through a stand-alone drug plan or a
managed care plan (e.g. HMO or PPO)
• There will be an estimated monthly premium of $35
• Medicaid will no longer cover prescription drugs for
recipients who are eligible for Medicaid and
Medicare (called dual eligible). This population will
receive drug coverage through the new Medicare
drug benefit
• Medicaid and low-income beneficiaries will pay no
premium and minimal co-payments
Important Important Dates Dates for for for Implementation Implementation Implementation of of of the the New
New
Medicare Medicare Drug Drug Benefit Benefit
Benefit
The following are key dates for implementation of the
new Medicare drug benefit. Most of these activities will
be coordinated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS), the federal agency responsible for
Medicare.
Mid-May 2005
CMS will begin to send notices to Medicare beneficiaries
of limited income and assistance who are automatically
eligible to receive additional assistance paying for Medi-
Mark Your Calendars!
Monday Monday, Monday , August August 15, 15, 2005
2005
6:30 6:30 6:30 - - 8:30 8:30 8:30 p.m.
p.m.
(Indianapolis (Indianapolis (Indianapolis T TTime)
T ime)
4
care drug premiums and co-payments. These individuals
are automatically eligible for the extra assistance and do
not have to submit a separate application. They do have to
enroll in a plan in the fall. These Medicare beneficiaries
include individuals who receive Medicaid benefits (called
dual eligible) or are enrolled in the Medicare Savings
Programs (programs where states help pay for Medicare
premiums and co-payments).
Late May 2005
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will begin to
send letters to 21 million Medicare beneficiaries who may
have limited income and resources to inform them about
the extra assistance and how to apply for it. An application
for the Medicare drug benefit assistance will be included
in the letter.
Mid-June 2005
CMS will begin sending notices to Medicare beneficiaries
in some states who are SSI recipients but not on Medicaid.
These individuals will be automatically eligible to
receive extra assistance paying for drug costs and do not
have to file a separate application.
July 1, 2005
SSA offices and state Medicaid offices begin accepting
applications online for extra assistance paying for the
Medicare drug benefit.
continued continued on on page page 5
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Medicare Medicare Drug Drug Coverage:
Coverage:
Better Better Benefits/More Benefits/More Choices
Choices
- - a a teleconference teleconference -
-
Listen Listen via via telephone telephone from from from the the comfort comfort comfort of of your your home home to a presentation on the new Medicare drug benefit by
Brenda Delgado, Health Insurance Specialist, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Up-todate
information on the new Medicare drug benefit and other improvements to the Medicare program will be
discussed. Participants will have the opportunity to ask specific questions following the one-hour presentation.
Call Call Call From From From Y YYour
Y Your
our Home! Home!
Home!
Upon registering individuals will be given a NEW* toll-free number to use the evening of the program.
Register Register T TToday!
T oday!
Call the Alzheimer’s Association at 1-800-272-3900 1-800-272-3900 to register for this program!
*Please *Please *Please note!
note!
A A new new toll-free toll-free number number will will be be given given upon upon upon registration.
registration.