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T H E C A R E G I V E R ’ S T O O L K I T
CHAPTER 5
INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits (Part D)
Introduction
Medicare’s new drug coverage
began January 1, 2006.
Who’s Eligible?
If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you are eligible
to join a Medicare drug plan regardless of your
income, health status, or current prescription
expenses. You decide if you want to enroll or
not. However, if you decide to join after your
initial enrollment period, your monthly premium
may be higher because there is a penalty for
late enrollment. People new to Medicare have
an initial enrollment period that starts 3 months
before the month they turn age 65 and ends 3
months after the month they become age 65. If
you have Medicare due to a disability, you can join
three months before and after your 24th month
of cash disability benefits. There is an annual
open enrollment period from October 15 through
December 7 every year to change plans. Your
newly elected coverage would begin January 1.
What to Do
Gather information about current prescriptions
and about current drug coverage. Find out if you
are eligible for “extra help” through Federal or
State programs and apply for financial help and
take advantage of programs that are available.
Save any letters from former employers or
insurance plans. Compare your drug plan
choices and decide what’s right for you. You
can enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Drug
Plan that only covers drugs or you can enroll
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drug, hospital, and doctor care coverage.
Medicare
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under Medicare. Gather information about the
drug plans that are currently available and
make a simple chart. Compare premiums,
deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays. Check
to see if your medications are covered by the
plan and where the participating pharmacies are
located. For assistance and information, contact
1-800-Medicare
, visit the Medicare website at
www.medicare.gov
, or call the Harford County
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410-638-3577
or visit
www.
harfordcountymd.gov/services/aging
.
Financial Assistance - Federal “Extra
Help” or Low-Income Subsidy
Federal assistance or “Extra help” for people
with lower incomes and limited resources is
available to reduce the cost of the premiums,
deductible, and coinsurances. Call
1-800-
772-1213
or visit
www.ssa.gov
.
Senior Prescription Drug Assistance
Program (SPDAP)
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is a premium subsidy program for moderate income
Maryland residents participating in an approved
Medicare prescription drug plan or Medicare
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up to $40 per month towards premium costs. In
select qualified plans the State will pay 95% of
your Medicare Part D prescription drug costs paid
within the coverage gap. To receive an application,
call
1-800-551-5995
or visit their website at
www.
marylandspdap.com$SSOLFDWLRQV DUH DOVR
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Harford County Department
of Community Services
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