Medicare Today Launches National Medicare Prescription Drug Enrollment Awareness Campaign

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health care leaders today announced a national campaign to raise awareness about the 2009 Medicare prescription drug coverage open enrollment period, which runs from November 15 to December 31, 2008.

The campaign is designed to encourage seniors to sign up for prescription drug plans under Medicare's Part D program if they have not already done so, and to remind those seniors who are already enrolled in the program to review their current plan and compare it with other available plans.

"It is extremely important for beneficiaries, especially those with limited income, to take advantage of the choice, convenience and cost savings that Medicare's prescription drug plans offer them," said Mary R. Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council, a coalition of the nation's leading health care companies and organizations. "This national campaign will help make sure seniors are aware that now is the time to enroll in a plan or review their current Medicare drug plan."

The campaign will include television advertising, media coverage and grassroots outreach activities and will highlight the high satisfaction rates among beneficiaries currently enrolled in Part D plans.

Heading into its fourth year, seniors continue to give the program high marks, with 90 percent reporting that they were satisfied with their plan, up 12 points since the beginning of the program, according to a survey released today by Medicare Today, a project of the Healthcare Leadership Council and conducted in September by KRC Research.

"This survey is yet more evidence that the Medicare prescription drug benefit provides seniors with the flexibility they need to choose a plan that's right for them," said former U.S. Senator and Medicare Today Co-Chairman John Breaux.

According to the survey, in addition to high satisfaction rates, beneficiaries report that they're saving money under Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, which have been available to beneficiaries since 2006. Prior to the addition of Part D coverage, millions of Medicare beneficiaries had coverage for hospital and doctor expenses, but not prescription drug expenses. Most seniors agree that their plan is delivering what it said it would when they signed up, and nearly eight in 10 seniors say they are better off now than before the program. Eighty-six percent say their co-payments are affordable, 85 percent say their monthly premiums are affordable, 91 percent say their plan offers a good value, and 71 percent say they've lowered their prescription drug spending.

"During these tough economic times, I'm pleased that the program can provide savings for seniors and that they have the ability to choose the plan that best suits their needs," said former U.S. Senator and Medicare Today Co-Chairman Trent Lott.

"Having access to your medicines is a critical part of healthy aging for all seniors and the Medicare Part D benefit makes that possible," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance). "It is critical that before the deadline of December 31, 2008 all seniors who do not yet have prescription drug coverage sign up for Medicare Part D for their health and their family's piece of mind."

The Alliance announced the availability of help with understanding Medicare benefits through the Alliance's 1-866-SU-FAMILIA (1-866-783-2645) National Hispanic Family Health Helpline. Callers get free reliable and confidential health information in Spanish and English. Bilingual health promotion advisors can also refer callers to a local health care provider in their community and callers can get a free bilingual guide to diabetes and their Medicare benefits.

Current and potential beneficiaries can speak with a Medicare counselor for information about the benefit by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). To prepare for a discussion with a counselor, beneficiaries should have on hand a list of the prescription drugs they take, including the dosage and frequency, and a preferred pharmacy.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder and Medicare Options Compare are two new tools available on www.medicare.gov to assist current beneficiaries and those eligible in process of choosing a plan or comparing a current plan to another option. These tools provide detailed information on all the available plans and the means to compare them based on cost, coverage, service area, and quality.

The Social Security Administration can also provide assistance for those who may qualify financially for extra help with the cost of prescription drugs. Medicare beneficiaries interested in applying for extra help or those who have previously applied and want to check their status can call 1-800-772-1213 to contact their local Social Security office.

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