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WASHINGTON, Mar 29, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The government has begun mailing applications to qualify low-income people for the new prescription drug benefit but critics say the forms are too complex.
The Bush administration plans to send out up to 20 million forms that will determine if the applicants can get financial assistance with Medicare's new prescription drug benefit.
But advocates for such people say the form is so complex they expect fewer than 5 percent to respond, the New York Times reported Tuesday.
For those who qualify, the government will provide a 75 percent subsidy worth about $1,250 a year for the basic drug benefit, plus an average of nearly $2,300 a year in extra assistance, the report said.
One section of the new form asks people to distinguish between the face value and the cash value of life insurance. Another question asks people how much money they receive from friends and relatives to help pay for food, shelter and utilities.
A Social Security Administration spokesman said it may be too late to change the forms, but the government will tailor its publicity to address questions raised by the first group of people, the Times reported.
The new program expects 14 million people, or one-third of all beneficiaries, will qualify for the subsidies.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
