Governor Unveils Plan to Assist Seniors and People with Disabilities Facing Medicare Part D Choices
Governor Unveils Plan to Assist Seniors and People with Disabilities Facing Medicare Part D Choices
Governor John E. Baldacci, joined by citizens and advocates at Chateau Cushnoc, a low-income elderly housing and individual living facility, discussed the impact of the federal Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit on Maine seniors and those with disabilities. The Governor said that the State will be assisting those affected by the new federal program.
The Governor's remarks follow.
"Beginning January 1, 2006, the federal Medicare Program will offer insurance coverage to help beneficiaries pay for prescription drugs through Medicare Part D. For over 150,000 Mainers it will make affordable drug coverage accessible for the first time.
"But, for more than 85,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities - those served by MaineCare and Drugs for the Elderly - this new program provides less drug coverage at higher costs to the state and to individuals. Furthermore, this group must decide by January 1 which of the more than forty private prescription drug plans would be best for them - or lose their drug coverage altogether.
"That is unacceptable. Maine has a longstanding commitment to provide access to medications for our low income seniors and disabled people.
"Under Medicare Part D the Federal Government has made our job - to ensure the safety and welfare of our more vulnerable seniors and disabled - more difficult. Let me just share with you one story of how this just isn't working.
"On November 15th my pharmacy affairs director, Jude Walsh, was assisting a couple with enrollment into a plan. She called the phone number listed in the Medicare and You Handbook for the plan they wanted to enroll with, this number was disconnected, she then called 1-800-MEDICARE and the lines were all busy and she was told to call back, she then went to the Medicare website and the system crashed twice. After an hour she still was not able to enroll this couple in a plan. This is the same kind of difficulty seniors all over our state are experiencing.
"The Maine plan we are announcing today is a front line defense for keeping these seniors and disabled citizens out of expensive acute care and nursing homes - helping them to remain living independently in their own homes.
"I have created a team to provide a safety net to help MaineCare and Drugs for the Elderly members navigate this new system, pick the plan that is best to meet their needs, and help them with the new out-of-pocket expenses they face.
"We have secured a grant from Maine Health Access Foundation to add significant resources to provide this outreach to Maine's low income and disabled elderly.
"We began on November 1st by reaching out to over 1,000 people per day - people who depend on the drugs they get now and who will now need to choose a plan under Medicare Part D. The phone number for people to call is 1-866-RX-MAINE.
"We are asking permission from the federal government to review the plans that our seniors and disabled are enrolled in to ensure that they are in the plans that best meets their needs. We will also provide assistance with copays, premiums, deductibles and gaps in coverage.
"Finally, I pledge to work with legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle to make sure we maintain our longstanding commitment to the most vulnerable in our society, our seniors and those with disabilities.
"Make no mistake about it, this new federal program is complex and confusing. The Federal Government has tied our hands. What little we can do, we are going to do. But this isn't about politics and blame. It's about making sure we protect Maine citizens, so that they can remain in their homes, and avoid costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations."
For information on finding the right Medicare Part D plan, please call 1-866-RX-MAINE.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov+News&id=10365&v=Article