SENIORS MUST ENROLL IN MEDICARE DRUG PLAN

(10/07/2005)

By Bob Weaver About 75% of WVs Medicare recipients have no prescription drug benefits. That could change if seniors apply for new Medicare benefits, but they must choose from dozens of plans offered by about 20 companies. Opal Harris, Calhoun's Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselor, is located at the CCCOA in Grantsville, and is available to help seniors work through the process(354-7822). 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. About 350,000 state residents who have Medicare will get "Medicare and You" booklets no later than October 20th, detailing each plan. The open enrollment period begins November 15th and ends May 15th, but there is a December 31st deadline for those who want coverage from day one. Seniors who file after December 31st will face penalties. The information books do not include lists of drugs covered by each company, but those will be available on the www.medicare.gov web site by October 14th.

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