| Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare will be offering prescription drug coverage for seniors, according to Opal Harris, Calhoun's Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselor.
It is the responsibility of seniors on Medicare to select a plan that will benefit them.
The new prescription drug plan will help seniors save money on their prescriptions.
Harris says her services to assist seniors are available at the Calhoun County Committee on Aging, by stopping by or calling 354-7822.
Seniors on Medicare who have received applications regarding the new benefits and need help filling it out, should contact Harris.
Harris says "We understand this information may be very confusing," and that is why there is a SHIP counselor in every county.
Thousands of WV citizens did not enroll in Medicare's temporary prescription drug plan, which has been described as a confusing process, particularly in deciding on a provider.
The schedule for applying for benefits:
October 1 - Medicare drug plans being advertised
October 15 - "Medicare and You: handbooks will be mailed to all households, and employers must advise their employees about how their current prescription coverage compares with Medicare's program
Late October - Automatic eligibles will be notified
November 15 - Enrollment begins (info on www.medicare.gov)
December 31 - Medicaid drug coverage ends for Medicare beneficiaries. Previous Medicare drug cards end.
January 1, 2006 - New Medicare drug coverage begins
April, 2006 - Reminders will be mailed to those not enrolled
May 15, 2006 - LAST DAY to enroll without penalty
The following 19 organizations will offer stand-alone prescription drug plans to Medicare recipients in West Virginia, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
_Aetna Life Insurance Co.
_American Progressive Life and Health Insurance Co. NY/Marquette National Life Insurance Co./Pennsylvania Life Insurance Co.
_Avalon Health Ltd.
_Connecticut General Life Insurance Co.
_Coventry Health and Life Insurance Co./First Health Life & Health Insurance Co.
_Highmark Senior Resources Inc.
_Humana Insurance Co.
_Medco Containment Life Insurance Co.
_MemberHealth Inc.
_Pacificare Life and Health Insurance Co.
_QCC Insurance Co. D/B/A AmeriHealth Insurance Co.
_RxAmerica LLC
_Silverscript Insurance Co.
_Sterling Life Insurance Co.
_Unicare
_United American Insurance Co.
_United Health Care Insurance Co.
_UPMC Health Plan
_WellCare Health Plans
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