PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE OPEN-ENROLLMENT 9/15 – 11/15/06

The Prescription Advantage program is having an open enrollment period from September 15, 2006 to November 15, 2006. Open enrollment in this program has not been offered every year due to budget constraints, so encourage clients not to miss this opportunity- it may not come around again soon.

Prescription Advantage provides wrap-around services to those with Medicare Part D, and can help reduce out-of-pocket costs by:

• Providing benefits during coverage gaps, such as deductibles or the donut hole;
• Lowering co-payment amounts; and
• Providing an annual out-of-pocket limit.

Individuals with limited income may also be eligible to receive help paying for their Medicare Part D plan premiums.

Those not yet enrolled in a Part D plan, are encouraged to apply for Prescription Advantage, and join a Part D plan later in the year when that plan opens for enrollment.

Elder and disabled individuals not eligible for Medicare can still apply for Prescription Advantage for primary prescription coverage.

For those seniors who have prescription drug coverage through an employer or union, Prescription Advantage also provides secondary benefits.

The Prescription Advantage application is available at:
www.mass.gov/Eelders/docs/pa_form_application.pdf.

Everything you ever wanted to know about PA is at:
www.mass.gov/?pageID=elderssubtopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Health+Care&L2=Prescription+Advantage&sid=Eelders.

- Adapted from materials forwarded by Kim Simonian, Partners Community Benefits, “Prescription Advantage announcement”e-mail, August 15, 2006 and from state press release “ Prescription Advantage to Hold Open Enrollment”, 8/15/06

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