Seniors can register for Medicare prescription drug coverage
TOM REYNOLDS Congressman 26th District
Last year saw the biggest change to Medicare since its inception nearly 40 years ago with

the addition of voluntary prescription drug coverage.

The addition of prescription drug coverage means hundreds of thousands of Western New York seniors are eligible to have some or all of their prescription drugs covered by Medicare. In fact, beneficiaries across America are saving on average more than $1,200 annually on their drug costs.

And now the sign-up period for seniors has opened up again. Seniors have the opportunity to sign up for prescription drug coverage or change their existing plan.

The new enrollment period began on Nov. 15 and lasts through Dec. 31. Signing up for prescription drug coverage has become easier and can be done either through the Medicare Web site, www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has tools that show how well plans performed in 2006. Plans are rated based on their performance in five different categories: telephone customer service, complaints, appeals, information sharing with pharmacists and drug pricing.

These categories provide insight and information about individual drug plans so seniors can make the best choice about which plan is best for them.

In Erie County, seniors have 61 stand-alone drug plans (compared with only 46 in 2006) to choose from, with an average premium of $32, which is lower than the average premium for 2006. Of these stand-alone plans, 35 plans do not have an annual deductible (compared to only 25 in 2006), and 16 plans provide coverage of generic drugs in the "donut" hole (in 2006 only seven provided this coverage).

Across the country, beneficiaries will see a 13 percent increase in the number of drugs included in specific drug plans.

While the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage program is not perfect, it has provided important benefits and real savings to hundreds of thousands of Western New York seniors.

These savings mean more money in the pockets of seniors, and I encourage all seniors to explore and research the plan that is best for them individually.

Call 1-800-MEDICARE, visit www.medicare. gov or contact the Erie County Department of Senior Services at 858-8526.