Pharmacy

Medicare Prescription Plan

Things you should know about Medicare Part D

Help is on the way.

Beginning January 1, 2006, for the first time, Medicare will begin offering prescription drug coverage. If you qualify, you may be able to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the medications you need. Eligibility is not determined by income or current health status, but if you do have limited income and resources, extra help is available. Best of all, if you already have insurance for your medicines now, this new Medicare coverage may help you save even more.

When does the plan begin?

Medicare (and Medicaid) participants may enroll in the plan beginning November 15th.

Benefits start January 1, 2006.

Fast facts about Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage

This new Medicare drug plan may give you coverage that costs less and offers more.
Unlike some Medicare HMO plans, there are no annual benefit maximums to your coverage.
You can choose from at least two Medicare prescription drug plans in your area.
People with a Medicare supplemental drug plan will receive a notice that will compare their current plan with the standard Medicare drug coverage. If the drug plan you have is at least as good as Medicare, you can keep what you have.
If your current drug coverage is not as good, consider joining a Medicare drug plan. But remember, you will pay higher premiums if you join after May 15, 2006.

Key dates to remember:

October 1, 2005: Insurance companies send out facts on the Medicare drug plans they offer in your area.
Mid-October, 2005: “Medicare & You 2006” handbook begins arriving in homes.
November 15, 2005: You can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan.
January 1, 2006: Medicare prescription drug coverage starts.
May 15, 2006: The first enrollment period ends. Sign up before this date to pay lower premiums.
January 1, 2006: Medicare will offer prescription drug coverage (Part D). Talk with your Food Lion pharmacist.

Your friendly, knowledgeable Food Lion pharmacist can help you find the information you need to answer your questions. They can also explain various Medicare options.

Here's how Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) works.

You can choose from at least two Medicare prescription drug plans in your area.
If you have limited income or few assets, you may be able to get additional help from Medicare. In such cases you won't have to pay deductibles or premiums and your co-pays are reduced as well.
Most people will pay around $32 per month to belong to the plan. You will also pay for the first $250 of your drug costs each year.
After that, Medicare will pay for 75% of your drug costs up to $2,250 per year.
NOTE: You will pay for all drug costs between $2,250 and $5,100 per year.
After you have paid $5,100 in drug costs, Medicare will pick up 95% of all your yearly drug costs.

The dollar amounts used in the examples above represent standard coverage. Actual plans may vary.

What if you're on Medicaid?

Here's how the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage works for people currently on Medicaid.

You will not lose coverage for prescription drugs.
From November 15 to December 31, 2005 you can choose which Medicare drug plan you want to join.
You can choose from at least two Medicare prescription drug plans in your area.
If you don't choose a plan, Medicare will enroll you in one of the drug plans in your area.
You will not have a monthly premium or a deductible.
You will only pay $1 to $5 for each prescription.

Need more information on Medicare's new prescription drug coverage (Part D)?

Your Food Lion pharmacist can help you find the information you need.

For information about prescription drug costs:
Call Social Security
1-800-772-1213
(TTY 1-800-325-0778)
or visit: www.socialsecurity.gov

For information on the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan:
Call Medicare
1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227)
or visit: www.medicare.gov