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Shelley Osterloh ReportingIf you receive Medicare, you have an important decision to make that could save you money, or cost you money. The federal government has added coverage to help pay for prescription drugs.
This means that people who have Medicare Part A -- which is hospital insurance-- or Medicare Part B -- medical insurance-- will be able to get Part D which is insurance to pay for part of their prescription drugs.
Medicare is working with private insurance companies to offer this benefit. It is available no matter what your income, illnesses or drug costs.
It may be a bit confusing, but there are plenty of people who can help you make the right decision. At the North West community Center, educators are ready to help seniors determine which of the more than 40 plans is right for them. Some seniors here have already signed up for plan D and are saving money.
Woman: "Well, it saved me almost a hundred dollars on my prescriptions."
Woman: "For one of my medications, I am saving approximately 150 dollars for three months."
Every person with Medicare is eligible for drug coverage under a Medicare prescription drug plan. The drug plans cover brand name and generic drugs. All Medicare beneficiaries have a choice of plans, so they can get the coverage that best meets their needs.
To sign up, you should be prepared with your Medicare and private insurance information and a list of your medications.
Alice Webber, Health Educator, MyMedicareMatters: "You can't tell someone what a good plan is for them until you see their situation, put in their exact drugs and then the plans come out. There is no way to say, 'Oh you might be good on this plan,' you've got to put in the specific information. That's the only way to do it."
Lindy Barnes, Salt Lake County Aging Services: "At Salt Lake County Aging Services, we can provide hands-on help. They can come into the office or call on the phone."
And you have to sign up by May 15th or get a letter than says your own insurance benefits cover prescriptions, or you may receive a penalty charge.
If you'd like more information, MyMedicareMatters educators will be available to help seniors and disabled beneficiaries choose which of the new Medicare Prescription Drug plans is right for them next Tuesday. That's April 18 at Little America Hotel at the 19th Annual Hatch Senior Conference. It will be held from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Or you can call your county aging services. Plus, many senior centers have educators come an work through this with folks.
But don't forget, in order to receive these benefits, you have to sign up my May 15th or get a waiver. If you don't, you could get a penalty.
