Medicare Part D and CARxE

On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003(MMA) became a law. Prior to the new law Medicare only covered hospital stays and doctor's visits. As a result of this law, beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare will also help cover the costs of prescription drugs. The passing of this law provides voluntary Medicare prescription drug coverage of brand and generic medicines which can be received at participating pharmacies or through mail order services.

The Medicare prescription drug benefit is insurance that will provide those enrolled in Medicare (either in Medicare Part A or Part B) with savings on a wide array of brand and generic prescription drugs. As people age, the need for prescription drugs to stay healthy increases, and this is why prescription drug insurance is so important. While one's current drug costs may not yet be high, the odds are that over time as one ages, there will be a need for increased prescription drug therapy, and thus increased costs.

In order to get the Medicare prescription drug coverage you must enroll. There will be many Medicare approved prescription drug plans from which to choose. Each plan may have a different structure and provide costs savings in a different way. Each plan will, for example, have its own formulary, with different cost savings from plan to plan for each drug. Therefore, reviewing the formulary to make sure your drugs are covered and determining from which plan you will obtain the greatest savings will be important in deciding which plan to choose.

While you may not be taking certain drugs at this time, it is also important to consider those drugs you might take in the near future based on family predisposition or direction from your physician. Adhering to a prescription drug therapy can greatly improve one's quality of life. The Medicare prescription drug plan is an important benefit that can offer peace of mind, along with enhanced well being.

Those who enrolled by December 31, 2005 began to receive their prescription drug coverage on January 1, 2006. The penalty-free enrollment period is from November 15, 2005 through May 15, 2006.

Brotman Medical Center is offering help with Medicare Part D through our partnership with "CARxE." Click here to visit the CARxE web site to find out more, or contact us to find out how you can get help at Brotman Medical Center.