Sen. Talent discusses Medicare at Cape Girardeau Senior Center

A new Medicare option that offers prescription medication coverage is voluntary, affordable and is open to everyone regardless of income, said Sen. Jim Talent.

The Republican senator visited the Cape Girardeau Senior Center on Friday to discuss the basics and to answer questions about the new plan called Part D. About 20 seniors attended the informal meeting.

The new coverage begins on Jan. 1. Initial enrollment begins on Nov. 15 and ends on May 15.

"This is the most important change in health care programs for senior citizens since Medicare got started," Talent said. Medicare was enacted in 1965. The new program will cover all 905,580 beneficiaries in Missouri.

In Missouri, people can choose from 15 stand-alone drug plans that are designed by health care providers. Premiums average at $32, with some as low as $10 and as high as $60. Each package must offer at least two brands within each category of medications, not excluding name brands.

Once the $250 deductible is met, Medicare will pay 75 percent of yearly drug costs between $250 and $2,250. A no-coverage period begins after $2,250. Once expenses exceed $5,100, Medicare will resume payments at 95 percent. Thus, each person with excessive medication costs will spend about $3,100 out of pocket, then the plan requires them to pay only 5 percent of the costs.

Talent said that the most common question is whether people should switch coverage if they already have a plan, such as veterans benefits. If a person is satisfied with the coverage they have, then don't switch, he said. People can always switch even after initial enrollment ends.

However, people who currently do not have prescription coverage should not wait. If they choose to join after initial enrollment, premiums will cost 10 percent more, which is about 30 cents more a month on a $32 plan. Even if people are not currently taking prescription medications, they could choose a $10 plan and upgrade later.

Robert Epps with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also spoke and offered three points.

First, Medicare is available to all seniors and to eligible individuals on disabiliy, even though Medicare offers additional assistance to individuals with annual incomes less than $14,335.

Second, people should use the Medicare handbook, which provides information about the new plans.

Third, anyone with questions about the coverage can contact a representative in the Missouri Department of Insurance. Trained personnel with Community Leaders Assisting the Insured in Missouri will answer questions and concerns.

Tina Davis with the Southeast Missouri Agency on Aging said that the meeting covered much of the basic information. Her position was created to assist people in deciding which coverage plan is best for them. They can contact her at 339-7243 or (877) 339-7243.

Anyone with additional questions, such as which plans carry certain brands of medications, can contact Medicare at (800) 633-4227 or online at www.medicare.gov.

jmetelski@semissourian.com