DeLauro Calls for More Time so Seniors & the Disabled Can Decide on a Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

DeLauro Calls for More Time so Seniors & the Disabled Can Decide on a Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

- Six Month Enrollment Period Not Enough to Compare 44 Plans -

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today said that the deadline to enroll in the prescription drug benefit under Medicare - or Medicare Part D - should be extended for seniors and the disabled. DeLauro sponsored legislation in the U.S. House introduced by her colleague John Larson to give seniors and the disabled until May 15, 2008 to decide on a plan. The legislation gives seniors an additional two years to compare drug plans. In Connecticut, beneficiaries have 44 plans to choose from.

"In speaking to seniors in my district, beneficiaries have found the benefit confusing to navigate," said DeLauro. "It is little wonder -with dozens of Medicare drug plans to choose from, they have been inundated with TV ads and materials from the Social Security Administration, from Medicare and from state agencies overseeing parts of Medicare Part D. Seniors need more time to evaluate these programs and decide what is best for their needs."

According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health, 73 percent of beneficiaries said having so many choices was confusing and made it difficult to select a plan. When asked how well they understand the drug benefit, 61 percent of seniors said "not too well" or "not at all."

Central to this confusion was the fact that although beneficiaries have until May 15th of next year to enroll in the Medicare prescription drug benefit, there is a 7 percent penalty for enrolling after this date - and an additional 12 percent for every year seniors wait after 2006. "It is hard to believe we would penalize seniors at all for taking the time to figure out what is right for them, much less penalize them this obscene amount for the life of the premium," said DeLauro.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Flexibility for Seniors Act delays any late enrollment penalties until 2008 giving seniors enough time figure out what plan is best for them. DeLauro believes no beneficiary should have to face penalties. The legislation also eliminates the lock-in provision, so if seniors have made a selection that turns out to be a problem for them, they can change plans within 60 days. And it penalizes employers who mislead seniors about the retiree health plans they may offer. Each of these provisions have one thing in common - they give seniors the flexibility they need to make the decision that is right for them.

General enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug benefits began November 15th and ends on May 15th of 2006. Residents that receive ConnPACE or Medicaid benefits, must enroll by December 31st or they will be automatically enrolled.

"Medicare is one of the twin pillars of retirement security in this country - the embodiment of our country's shared values," said DeLauro. "Getting this right is for us a matter of values. Seniors need more time to decide on which Medicare drug benefit is right for them. And while we are considering major revisions to the bill, this is a small step to give seniors more flexibility."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2005/November/medicare_more_time_11_18_05.html