Capito Touts West Virginia Enrollment Increase for Medicare's Prescription Drug Benefit
Capito Touts West Virginia Enrollment Increase for Medicare's Prescription Drug Benefit
Reminds seniors to sign up for a plan before May 15 and save on their prescription drug costs
CHARLESTON, W.V. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today applauded a recent report that says 64 percent of West Virginians who are eligible for Medicare have prescription drug coverage. As of March 18, 2006, the report, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, shows that 229,877 of the 356,796 Medicare beneficiaries in West Virginia are covered by a prescription drug plan.
"Medicare's new prescription drug benefit can be summed up in five words: savings for West Virginia's seniors," said Capito. "This benefit can save seniors hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars on prescription drug costs every year, but you must sign up for one of Medicare's voluntary plans in order to save money."
Medicare's new prescription drug benefit is available to all Medicare beneficiaries, with added financial assistance available for low-income seniors. The benefit offers seniors a number of different Medicare-approved drug plans to choose from in exchange for a low monthly premium. The approved drug plans offer coverage for both name-brand and generic drugs, with monthly premiums around $30 per month nationally. This benefit is especially generous for low-income seniors who will pay as little as a few dollars per prescription. On average, Medicare beneficiaries could see their total cost of prescription drugs reduced by 50 percent.
Capito urged seniors to not wait any longer before signing up for a plan. The deadline to enrolling in a plan without paying a penalty fee is May 15, 2006. After that date, seniors are still able to sign up for a plan but will be charged an additional one percent of their monthly premium.
Capito added, "The bottom line for West Virginians seniors is that this program is real, it is working, and it can save you hundreds of dollars on your prescription drugs. If you need assistance or would like to request information for yourself, a neighbor or a family member, I encourage you to contact Medicare or my office before May 15 and someone will be happy to assist you."
http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=155&whichone=pr