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NY Times Reports Widepread Problems with Medicare Drug Plans
An article in
the New York Times reports the possibility of widespread
problems with the new Medicare drug enefit, particularly for
low-income beneficiaries. This has prompted emergency action
by some states, including Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota,
and Vermont. These states are paying claims for low-income
people until the federal government fixes the program.
If You are Having Problems with the New Medicare Drug
Program
With the launch of the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program
some people are having trouble getting their prescriptions
filled. Apparently, problems exist system-wide that are causing
beneficiaries delays or even denials in getting prescriptions.
The following suggestions are from the American Association
of Retired Persons (AARP)
website.
Take your card from your Medicare Rx plan provider to the
pharamacy. If you don't have a card but have enrolled in the
new program, take the following items to the pharmacy:
- Written documentation from the plan provider
- Plan provider contact information, including the toll-free
number on the enrollment material
- Your Medicare card or SSA auto assignment
- Some form of ID (photo ID is best, but if you don't have
one take a utility bill or Social Security card
If the pharmacy still won't fill your prescription, you might
consider the following:
- Go to another pharmacy
- Ask your pharmacist to provide a few days of medication
to get you through the time it takes to confirm eligibility
- Save all receipts in case you need to be reimbursed later
- Contact your plant provider and/or Medicare
right away
Several Low -Income Beneficiaries have been bumped from
patient assistance programs.
Check with Rx
Assist to see if you are still eligible.
January 8, 2006 |
