Seniors fret over changes in Medicare drug program
USA Today, October 29th, 2006
Gordon Musch stares into a computer monitor and listens while an insurance counselor peppers him with unfamiliar terms.
For Musch, like millions of other seniors and
people with disabilities, it's time to learn again about Medicare's
prescription-drug program. It was confusing the first time around. Now,
there are even more plans to consider for 2007. The enrollment period
begins Nov. 15 and ends Dec. 31, but officials say those who wait past
early December could face delays.
The lowest-priced premiums have risen
considerably. Lists of covered drugs have changed, as have rules that
must be followed to get coverage.
And plans that last year provided continuous
insurance throughout the year for all drugs now have a "coverage gap"
for brand-name drugs. Most plans have a gap that begins when total drug
costs reach $2,250 and ends when the beneficiary has spent $3,600 out
of pocket.
For all those reasons, experts say, virtually everyone in the program should shop around.
Read more of this article.