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WASHINGTON, D.C - In 2003, Congress modernized Medicare to alleviate the financial pain felt by many seniors who could not afford their prescription drugs. Last year was the first time America’s seniors were able to access a new prescription drug program, known as Medicare Part D.
The prescription drug coverage was the fulfillment of Congress’ pledge to enable seniors to get the medications they need at affordable prices. Before the establishment of the Part D program, many times our seniors were forced to choose between buying groceries or buying life-saving medications. Statistics show that the Part D program is a success, over 24 million seniors have enrolled. The average national monthly premium projected in 2008 is $25, which is about 40 percent lower than initial estimates. Most importantly, the average Part D enrollee is saving $1,200 per year on prescription drugs. Also, due to the competition among private companies within the plan, the overall cost of Part D is much less than anticipated.
The Part D program provides flexibility for seniors and current beneficiaries may make changes to their current plan during “open season,” which begins on November 15th and continues until December 31st.
When seniors first began to enroll in this program there was plenty of confusion about how to sign up for the program and how it worked. Many of you contacted my office asking questions. To assist you, we held Medicare Part D seminars in 17 cities across rural Arizona and over 1,000 attendees enrolled in this new program.
I will again be sponsoring Medicare Part D “open season” workshops where Medicare experts from my staff and the Medicare Access Network of Arizona can assist you in enrolling or changing your current Part D coverage.
Medicare Part D is open to all seniors currently enrolled in Medicare. All you need to do is attend a workshop in your area, and remember to bring your Medicare card along with a current list of the medications you are taking, including the dose and frequency.
At the workshop you can obtain personalized information about your options and find out which plan will best serve your needs. You can sign up for coverage on the spot or take home our information and discuss it with your family. Once you find out the best plan for you, just call my office and we will help you through the sign up process.
I encourage all seniors with questions about Part D coverage, or those who are unsure how to sign up, to attend a workshop. If you have any other issues such as a problem with your Social Security or Veterans’ benefits, my staff will be on hand to help with these issues as well.
Below is the list of the Medicare workshops.
Globe
Thursday, November 15th
11am-12pm
Globe Senior Center
579 S. Broad Street
Globe, AZ 85501
Payson
Thursday, November 15th
11:30am–1:30pm
Payson Senior Circle
215 N. Beeline Highway
Payson, AZ 85541
Flagstaff
Friday, November 16th
10am-1pm
Flagstaff Library
300 W. Aspen
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Florence
Monday, November 19th
9-11am
Dorothy Nolan Senior Center
330 N. Pinal Street
Florence, AZ 85232
Coolidge
Monday, November 19th
12:30-2pm
Coolidge Senior Center
250 S. 3rd Street
Coolidge AZ 85228
Casa Grande
Tuesday, November 20th
9am-12 pm and 1-3 pm
Sun Life Family Health Center
865 North Arizola Road
Casa Grande, AZ 85222
Show Low
Tuesday, November 27th
1-3pm
Show Low Senior Center
301 E. McNeil
Show Low, AZ 85901
Snowflake
Wednesday, November 28th
10am-12pm
Silver Creek Senior Center
1658 S. Main Street
Snowflake, AZ 85937
Holbrook
Wednesday, November 28th
1-3pm
Holbrook Senior Center
216 Joy Nevin Avenue
Holbrook, AZ 85025
St. Johns
Thursday, November 29th
10am-12pm
St. Johns Senior Center
395 S. 1st West
St. Johns, AZ 85936
Overgaard
Monday, December 3rd
10:30-11:30am
Rim Country Senior Center
2172 B. Street
Overgaard, AZ 85933
Safford
Monday, December 3rd
3-5pm
Graham County General Office Building
921 Thatcher Blvd
Safford, AZ 85546
Springerville
Tuesday, December 4th
10am-12pm
Round Valley Senior Center
356 S. Papago Street
Springerville, AZ 85938
Chino Valley
Tuesday, December 11th
1-4pm
Chino Valley Senior Center
1021 W. Butterfield Street
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to talk to a Medicare representative 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have internet access: www.medicare.gov
Call the Social Security Administration at: (1-800-772-1213) and if you have internet access www.socialsecurity.gov
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