EXPERT: 'SENIORCARE' BETTER FOR MOST CLARK CO. SENIORS
Wednesday, October 12th, 2005 -- 2:49 PM
Yesterday?s announcement SeniorCare will continue through at least 2007 was ?extremely good? news, according to the Clark County Office on Aging?s prescription drug-related benefit specialist.Amy Beathard says the department will continue to educate people on Medicare Part ?D?, but most of Clark County?s eligible seniors will be better off on SeniorCare.
"Most people will benefit more from SeniorCare because it's $30 for the whole year," Beathard says, referring to the deductible participants pay. She adds that Medicare Part "D" considers a person's assets as well as income, where the state program only looks at income.
Still, there will be a number of area residents who may qualify for the Medicare Part ?D? subsidy, making the federal program more worthwhile as it would eliminate the deductible.
The Medicare Part ?D? application period will begin on November 15th. Beathard says they will still be out telling people about the program.
"We still need to get out there. People have the option to choose Part D if they want. There are some seniors that don't have prescription coverage and if they don't sign up between November and May, they may incur a penalty."
As part of deal Governor Doyle reached with the federal government, SeniorCare partipants will not be penalized if they don't sign up for Part D by May.
For more information, or to find out what program is best for you, you can contact the Clark County Office on Aging at 743-5144. Currently, 2,000 of Clark County?s 6,000 seniors are enrolled in the state?s SeniorCare program.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.