Saturday, May 6, 2006 | 8:02 a.m.
These locations will offer individual counseling sessions by appointment for Medicare Part D enrollment. Spanish-speaking counselors will be on hand at some locations.
Be sure to bring your Medicare card, proof of any existing insurance and a list of prescriptions to your appointment.
To make an appointment, call the Clark County Senior Advocate Program (455-7051) or the Las Vegas office of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), at 486-3478.
SHIP will also sponsor last-minute enrollment on May 11, 12, and 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3100 W. Sahara Ave. The event will take place in the building's courtyard, refreshments will be served and counselors will be on hand to answer questions and assist with enrollment.
With the deadline less than two weeks away to enroll for prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D, officials say up to half of those eligible in Clark County still have not signed up.
And some worry that many of those who could benefit most are the same people who have yet to enroll.
"We anticipate that many who qualify for extra assistance are among those who haven't signed up," says Marilyn Wills, director of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
"These people probably don't have coverage, and that's who we're trying to reach in these last few days."
The last day eligible participants can enroll without penalty is May 15. Whoever signs up after that will have to pay an additional 1 percent for every month beyond the initial deadline.
The next enrollment period begins Nov. 15, so those who enroll after the May deadline face at least a 6 percent penalty.
Enrollment is optional, and people with a retirement health plan from a previous employer may choose to keep that insurance.
Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid have supported efforts to extend the May 15 deadline, but those efforts so far have been unsuccessful.
Several help centers and meetings have been set up throughout the valley to provide assistance, advice or information.
Officials anticipate a last-minute rush, and they encourage potential enrollees to call for an appointment and bring all pertinent information with them. This includes a Medicare card, prescription information and proof of any existing health insurance.
Some have been reluctant to enroll because of glitches that plagued the program early on, and because of the lapse in coverage known as the "doughnut hole."
The doughnut hole is the amount between $2,251 and $5,100. That amount is not covered in the Part D program, although some plans offer that coverage with a higher premium. Officials say they arrived at the $2,251 base because it reflects what the average eligible recipient pays for prescriptions.
Deborah Moore of AARP of Nevada says that while Part D is not for everyone, her organization wants people at least to learn about the program before the May 15 deadline passes.
"We're encouraging people to print out a list of their prescriptions and take a close look with someone they trust, then make a decision," Moore says. "Even if they are not sure, they may want to take the cheapest policy to avoid the penalty and change later."
Tiffani Bruce of Illinois-based Walgreens, which has more than 5,000 stores nationwide, said pharmacists can also be a good source of information.
"With the deadline approaching and the complexity of the program, we are encouraging people to get help from a knowledgeable resource," she says. "With our computer system, pharmacists can provide a list of plans if they are provided with prescription information. It is not necessary to be or become a Walgreens customer to get this information."
Officials say other early problems with the Part D program, such as eligibility confirmation, have largely been resolved, and recent surveys indicate about 80 percent of those enrolled are satisfied.
Priscilla Gould of Las Vegas fits that category.
She began looking at her Part D options in August and by December had filled out her eligibility forms, received approval and signed up for a plan.
"I walked into the store with my card the first week of January and picked up my prescriptions with no problem," Gould says.
Gould, who has seven prescriptions, says she now pays about $11 for her monthly premium and $35 a month for her pills. Before the plan, she paid about $200 a month for the medications.
She also qualified for "Extra Help" financial assistance, which is available for low- and moderate-income individuals.
Opponents have argued that the dizzying array of options has made the program difficult for some seniors to navigate. More than 40 plans are available in Nevada, with varying monthly premiums, deductibles and co-payments.
Gould, who is 82, acknowledges that she was a little intimidated at first but managed to work through the process without much trouble. She also offers some tips for those who have not enrolled but are considering it.
"You don't have to look at every plan," she says. "If you know you can't afford a $40 or $50 plan, don't look at those. There is a wealth of information and assistance out there that people should use to help them make these decisions."
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