Prescription Drug Benefit is Working for West Virginia's Seniors

Prescription Drug Benefit is Working for West Virginia's Seniors

By Rep. Shelley Moore Capito

The high cost of prescription drugs is nothing new to West Virginia's seniors. However, due to the recently enacted prescription drug benefit to Medicare, seniors across West Virginia can now save hundreds and in some cases even thousands of dollars on their annual prescription drug costs.

Medicare's new prescription drug benefit is working, and every day more and more West Virginia seniors are signing up to take advantage of its savings. In fact, a recent study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that of the 356,796 Medicare beneficiaries in West Virginia, 229,877 have prescription drug coverage.

This new and voluntary prescription drug program is available to all eligible Medicare beneficiaries, with added financial assistance to low-income seniors.

The benefit works by offering a number of different Medicare approved drug plans, with seniors having the ability to choose whichever plan best fits their needs. Covering both generic and brand-name drugs, West Virginia's seniors can enroll in a plan in exchange for a low, monthly premium. Nationally, the average monthly premium is around $30. What's even better, this benefit is even more generous for low-income seniors, offering them full prescription drug coverage for only a few dollars per prescription. All told, seniors across West Virginia could see their total drug costs reduced by 50 percent.

Seniors who are interested in enrolling in this exciting new benefit should not wait any longer before taking action. The deadline for 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.

Opponents of this plan have spread a lot of misinformation and have unfortunately confused many seniors. They say the plan doesnt work, that it is too confusing, and that it isn't saving anyone money. They are all wrong. Initially there was some confusion brought on by the new program and a few kinks that needed to be worked out, but the bottom line is this plan is for real, it is working, and it can save you hundreds of dollars on your prescription drug costs!

If you have any questions about enrolling in this program I strongly encourage you to take action before May 15 by contacting either my office at (304) 925-5964 or going directly to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or www.medicare.gov.

I have seen firsthand the money seniors across West Virginia are saving because they are enrolled in this new program. I encourage you to find out more about it and participate in this program that is finally providing some relief to the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs.

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