Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 2, 1 February 2006 — Prescription drugs [ARTICLE]

Prescription drugs

Recent changes in the Medicare and Medicaid benefits may affect those whose prescription drugs have been covered in the past. A new prescription drug benefit, "Medicare Part D," offers extra help to those who qualify. This benefit may apply to you. It is estimated that as many as 76,000 Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries in the state of Hawai'i may be impacted by tliis change. That is, your prescription drugs that were covered in the past may no longer be covered, and will require full payment at prohibitive costs. Family and friends of kūpuna and others possibly affected by tliis change should encourage them to assess their drug coverage immediately. If you're not sure, ask your doctor or eheek with your HMO (heahh management organization, i.e., HMSA, Kaiser, United Heahh MedicareComplete, AlohaCare Advantage). May 15, 2006 is the cut-off date to apply for Medicare Part D. Enrollment will not be open again until mid-November 2006. Call your

heahh provider today and ask if your prescription drag coverage is impacted by tliis change. Don't be frustrated - help is available. For assistance, eall the Sage PLUS Program at the Department of Health's Executive Office on Aging: 586-7299 (O'ahu) or toll-free at 1-888-875-9229. Sage PLUS volunteers are well trained, and are also available to conduct community enrollment e.ve.nts