Printable Version
May 3, 2006
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
A Call to Extend the Enrollment Deadline for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Nearly Half of Seniors Unaware of May 15 Cut-off Date
For
Immediate
Release
Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275
May 3,
2006
dblank@retiredamericans.org
Washington, D.C. — Less than two weeks
until the enrollment deadline for the Medicare
Part D prescription drug benefit, nearly half
of Medicare beneficiaries - 47% - are unaware
that there is a deadline for enrollment on May
15th, and that if they do not enroll they will
be subject to a penalty of at least 7 percent
for the rest of their lives.
“The Bush Administration believes that the 7 million elderly and people with disabilities on Medicare who haven’t signed up for a Part D plan are ‘dawdling.’ That is not only insulting, but it ignores the reality that seniors are simply bewildered by the complexity of the program,” said Edward Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans.
Enrollment in the Part D benefit has been a bumpy ride for many beneficiaries. There was a great deal of confusion in selecting a plan offered by dozens of organizations, each of which provides several options. Altogether there are 1,500 available plans nationwide. The Alliance for Retired Americans believes that the May 15 deadline should be extended throughout 2006 without penalty, giving beneficiaries sufficient time to learn about the drug benefit, to study the plans, obtain independent counseling, and make informed choices.
The implementation of the drug benefit is costly nationally as well as individually. The high cost of prescription drugs will not produce savings until the Secretary of Health and Human Services has the authority and duty to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies.
The Alliance believes that the ultimate solution is to have Medicare run the prescription drug benefit, just like Medicare Part A and Part B. Coupled with negotiating power, a Medicare-run prescription drug benefit will produce enough savings to provide a universal, comprehensive and affordable benefit. Until then, the enrollment deadline should be extended to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering.
Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, is available for interviews and comments.