[WADNet Post] May 8, 2006: Medicare Part D Information
- From: WADNet Post Editor <wadneteditor@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: wadnetpost@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 01:20:00 -0500
MEDICARE PART D INFO
-- Medicare Part D FAQ
-- Medicare Part D Checklist
-- Medicare Part D hotline for Deaf/HH
==================================================
Medicare Part D FAQ
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
FOR DEAF PEOPLE
ABOUT MEDICARE PART D
Q: When can I join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan?
A: You can join now or any time UNTIL May 15, 2006.
If you wait until after May 15, 2006, you must wait until November 15,
2006 (to December 31, 2006) if you decide to join. BUT, remember, you
MAY pay a higher premium if you wait to join until November-December
2006 and that any coverage you have now for drugs is not good as
Medicare Part D.
Q: Do I have to join Medicare Part D?
A: No, if your other plan (from your employment, retirement plan, AARP,
Veterans Administration, husband’s or wife’s health insurance plan,
etc.) is good or better and you are happy with it, you do not have to
join Medicare Part D. It is your choice.
If you decide you do not want to join Medicare Part D and do not have
another health insurance plan that covers drugs, and one day you need
drugs, you will not get help with paying for them. You can sign up for
Medicare Part D later, but you will pay more for the monthly premium.
Q: I joined a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, but now I am not
happy with it.
--- OR ---
I joined a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, but my medication
changed and my plan does not cover it.
What can I do? Can I switch Medicare Part D plans any time? If not any
time, when?
A: Every year on November 15-December 31, you can change your
prescription drug plan. You can also change plans in certain situations,
like if you must move to and live in nursing home, you can change your
plan any time, OR if you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you can change
anytime.
Q: Who can help me through Medicare Part D and make a decision?
A: If you are over 60 years old, you can find a Medicare Carrier (a
benefits specialist) near where you live and who can help you:
www.wismedrx.org/consumerinfo/importantcontactnumbers.
If you are under 60 years old, call the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy at
Madison:
608-267-0214 Voice/TTY
800-928-8778 Voice/TTY
Milwaukee:
414-773-4646 Voice/TTY
800-708-3034 Voice/TTY
Northern Wisconsin:
715-736-1232 Voice/TTY
877-338-3724 Voice/TTY
Q: How do I pay the monthly payments (premiums)?
A: In general, there are three ways:
1) You can ask your insurance company to take out (deduct) monthly
payments automatically from your bank account, or
2) You can ask the Social Security Administration to take out your
monthly payments from your monthly Social Security check, or
3) You can write a check or make a money order for the monthly payments
yourself and send it to your prescription drug plan. You will get a bill
every month if you choose to pay yourself.
Q: What prescription drugs are covered by Medicare Part D and in what plan?
A: You can find what prescription drugs are covered and in which plan in
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder in ww.medicare.gov.
Q: What about drugs that I get under Medicare Part B?
A: Yes, if you get certain drugs that Medicare Part B covers because you
normally get them at your doctor’s office. This will continue. For other
drugs, Medicare Part D will cover.
Q: Which pharmacies or drug stores will accept Medicare Part D?
A: Go to www.medicare.gov and look for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Finder, and find a pharmacy or drug store near you that accepts your
Medicare Part D plan.
Q: How can I join Medicare?
A: If you are 65 years old or over and receive Social Security;
-- OR –
You are under age 65 and received 24 months (2 years) of Social Security
Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI);
-- OR –
You have permanent kidney failure,
you will receive Medicare.
If you are not sure or want more information, call the Social Security
Administration at 1-800-325-0778 TTY or 1-800-772-1213 Voice (7 am to 7
pm EST Monday-Friday) or go a Social Security office near where you
live. You can also check its website at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Other TTY Numbers for more information or help:
AARP: 1-877-434-7598
CWAG Elder Law Center: 1-888-758-6047
(Contributed by: Alice Sykora, DHFS)
==================================================
Medicare Part D Checklist
Before you call Jeff Cucinotta to ask him questions or for help about
your Medicare Part D needs, please have the information below ready
before you call him:
For your information: Your call may be 30 minutes long (maybe shorter,
maybe longer), depending on your questions and needs. If you have all
information ready before you call, it makes things easier for you and Jeff.
**************************************************
1) Names of medications or drugs you take, how strong the dosage (eg,
100mg, 200mg, etc.), how often you take the medication or drug (every
day? two times a day? once a week?)
Name of Medication/Drug You Use: How strong (mg): How Often Take?
(right spelling, please)
____________________________ _____________ __________
____________________________ _____________ __________
____________________________ _____________ __________
____________________________ _____________ __________
____________________________ _____________ __________
____________________________ _____________ __________
____________________________ _____________ __________
____________________________ _____________ __________
2. Have your CARD ready, with name of insurance:
Medicare or Medicaid or Medical Assistance (if cannot find or lost card,
call Social Security Office), or
Retirement Health Insurance, or
Veterans Benefits, or
Senior Care, or
AARP, or
Union Health Insurance, or
Prescription Discount Card Number
3. Your pharmacy or drug store:
Name: __________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
Phone Number: ___________________________________________
4. Do you have any letters, forms, or mail about Medicare Part D ready?
Yes ____ No ____
5. Is Wisconsin helping you pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and
co-payments? Yes ____ No _____
(Contributed by: Alice Sykora, DHFS)
==================================================
Medicare Part D hotline for Deaf/HH
Hi,
I am Jeffrey Cucinotta, and I was recently hired as Intake and Referral
person to provide information and referral for Deaf and hard of hearing
persons throughout the state regarding Medicare Part D. I will be on
this job during the enrollment period.
Although I am contracted via Access to Independence, I am working at the
Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, at the state office of the
Department of Health and Family Services, 1 West Wilson Street, Room
451, Madison. I will handle calls and questions from individuals who are
deaf and hard of hearing regarding Medicare Part D.
There are various ways people can call or reach me:
For Deaf and hard of hearing people:
TTY: 1-888-701-1255 (press 1)
Video Phone (VP): 608 266-1000
IP address: 69.217.147.17
For Hearing callers (who do not have a TTY or VP):
Use Relay Service: dial 711 and give the TTY number listed above to the
operator.
I also can be contacted via email: cucinjm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (yes, this
is the CORRECT email address)
I look forward to working with you to ensure that Deaf and hard of
hearing people are getting the information or appropriate referrals.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.
(Contributed by: Jeffrey Cucinotta, DFHS)
==================================================
Leslie Riggs
WADNet Post Editor & Listserv Administrator
Wisconsin Association of the Deaf
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