American senior citizens are nearing the end of the first open season of sign-ups for the Medicare Part D program – and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirms that more than 30 million Americans have signed up for prescription drug coverage under the new program.  But I know there are always those who wait for the last possible moment; this message is for them.

 

Those 30 million Americans are already saving money on the cost of their prescription drugs.  The Medicare Part D sign-up period represents an opportunity for every senior citizen to take time to discuss their prescription drug needs with a pharmacist or another qualified professional.  It is also an opportunity no American senior citizen on a budget can afford to pass up.  For one in three Medicare beneficiaries, Part D will pay the entire cost of prescription drugs.  In some cases, Medicare beneficiaries on the Part D program will not have to pay for the cost of copayment or coinsurance.

 

Of the 123,400 Medicare beneficiaries in Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District, 86,500 have already signed up for the Part D program.  Those remaining should do a careful examination of their prescription drug plans available to them under Medicare Part D before the initial enrollment period closes on May 15.

 

After that date, enrollment in the program will be closed until November 1, 2006, and a penalty may be applied to anyone who enrolls in the program after this initial term ending on May 15.  It is also important to note that anyone who is already enrolled in the Medicare Part D program has the option of changing their coverage once before the end of the first enrollment period.  So May 15 is an important deadline for those who are already in the Part D program as well as those who are not yet signed up.

 

More importantly, those who wait for the November 1 sign-up period to begin will not be
enrolled in prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D until January 1, 2007.

 

Still, this program is not perfect.  Even the fact that a deadline for enrollment exists is, to me, cause to consider reforms that make this program friendlier to senior citizens.  I do not believe this program should ever be closed to senior citizens who could substantially be helped by the benefit of prescription drug coverage.  I support several other early reforms to Medicare Part D.  I also think that every prescription drug plan sponsor offering coverage under the program in Missouri should register under our state insurance department.  And finally, Congress should fund state health insurance counseling programs so senior citizens can get their information about Part D from an unbiased source before deciding to enroll.

 

Tweaking the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit will strengthen the program for senior citizens today, as well as generations which have yet to reach retirement age.  The high and rising cost of prescription drugs is a problem for every American.  And every American deserves the best program in place to help reduce the costs of live-saving and life-sustaining medications.

 

In the heart of rural America, there are special reasons to pay attention to the future of Medicare Part D.  The cost of health care hits us especially hard.  As we work to meet the specific challenges of providing prescription drugs and rural health care in Southern Missouri, the Medicare Part D program can provide tremendous relief to senior citizens on fixed incomes. 

 

As May 15 gets closer and closer, I would urge Medicare beneficiaries who have not yet
considered this program to do so.  The potential short term benefits of this coverage are too great to pass up, and the penalty for waiting is well worth avoiding.  In the meanwhile, I will be working in Congress to continue to make the Part D program easier to access and better for the beneficiaries who do decide to enroll.

 

Eligible senior citizens can call 1-800-MEDICARE to sign up for the benefit or discuss their options.  Sign-up forms can also be found at www.medicare.gov.