Medicare drug benefit pushed at Vegas rally

Michelle Swafford

Monday, Aug. 15, 2005 | 11:25 a.m.

Nevada's State Health Insurance Assistance Program helpline (800) 307-4444.

Medicare helpline: (800) 633-4227

Medicare beneficiaries have some big decisions to make in the coming months about their prescription drug coverage.

As of Jan. 1, Medicare beneficiaries -- primarily seniors age 65 and older -- will have prescription drug coverage available through the federal government for the first time.

"This may be one of the most important events in health care in the last 40 years," Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said during a Las Vegas Medicare rally Friday. "We are changing the way we think about health care."

State and federal officials are gearing up to make sure seniors understand the changes and sign up for drug coverage. The prescription plans are optional, but if seniors sign up after May 15 they will pay higher premiums.

About 70,000 Nevada seniors lack drug coverage now and nearly 300,000 qualify for Medicare, Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., said at the rally.

Porter was one of the guests at Leavitt's rally that is part of a 100-city tour. Gov. Kenny Guinn, Attorney General Brian Sandoval and County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald also attended the event.

More than 100 seniors and health care professionals gathered at the Cambridge Senior Center to ask questions and hear how they will be affected by Medicare changes.

Seniors should care about the Medicare changes because it will keep them healthy, save them money and ease their fears that they will deplete their savings, Leavitt said.

From Nov. 15 to May 15, Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for prescription drug plans. After that they can sign up for higher monthly premiums.

To obtain the benefit seniors must sign up for a Medicare Part D, or prescription drug plan, which can be changed once a year thereafter if they choose, Leavitt said.

Several insurers have filed requests with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to offer prescription drug plans, but it is uncertain how many plans will be available in Nevada.

Medicare beneficiaries will begin receiving handbooks in October that list the available plans and costs. The average monthly premium will be $32, Medicare officials announced last week.

Medicaid recipients who receive prescription drug coverage through that program, which is mainly for low income people, will receive drug coverage through Medicare next year, Leavitt said.

People on Medicaid who do not sign up for a drug plan will be automatically enrolled in a plan, he said.

"We don't want anyone on Medicaid now to be dropped," he said.

Medicare beneficiaries whose annual income is less than $14,355 for individuals or $19,245 for married couples, may qualify for assistance that includes no monthly premiums and drug co-payments as low as $3 for brand name drugs and $1 for generics.

Other Medicare beneficiaries who have income above the assistance requirements but meet other criteria would qualify for additional assistance.

"Our motto is if in doubt fill it out," Leavitt said.

About 90,000 Clark County seniors would potentially qualify for low-income assistance, said Marilyn Willis, director of Nevada's State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Nevada's State Health Insurance Assistance Program has been holding informational sessions and taking calls from seniors about the Medicare changes.

The next informational meeting is Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road. Seniors can also call SHIP's helpline at (800) 307-4444.

Following the rally, Guinn said he has Medicare coverage and plans to sign up for a prescription drug plan.

"I'm covered but I'm foolish not to sign up," he said. "What you have today is in the private sector and may change. You can fall back on this program."

Medicare beneficiaries who have private coverage through Sierra Health Services Inc.'s Senior Dimensions or PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.'s Secure Horizons will continue to receive prescription drug coverage through those plans.

Retirees who receive health coverage through their former employers will likely continue the coverage they have, Leavitt said.