Sign-up to begin for Medicare drug plans  

[NOV. 12, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, is encouraging seniors and disabled individuals who are eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage to sign up for coverage as soon as possible when enrollment begins on Tuesday.

To obtain Medicare drug coverage, which will begin Jan. 1, 2006, participants must be enrolled in the program by Dec. 31. However, in order to enroll, they must choose a carrier and decide on the benefit package that would best suit their needs.

"Anyone who is eligible for the federal prescription drug assistance should consider their coverage options before choosing a Medicare package," Bomke said. "Obviously, if your current prescription drug plan is superior to Medicare, you probably will opt out of enrolling in the federal program. However, if you qualify for Medicare and don’t already have prescription drug coverage, then this would be an excellent option for you to look in to."

Bomke said that individuals who are currently covered by an employer should expect to receive a letter by Nov. 15 that will let them know if their coverage is as good as or better than Medicare. If it is better, then that individual can choose to decline enrollment in a Medicare prescription drug plan, which will allow them to avoid incurring a penalty if they decide to enroll in the Medicare program at a later time.

In response to changes in the federal Medicare Part D program, Illinois is converting its own prescription drug programs. SeniorCare and Circuit Breaker will become Illinois Cares Rx Plus and Illinois Cares Rx Basic and will cover everyone who is already eligible by Medicare as well as some of those who are not.

"The most important thing to remember if you are eligible for Medicare Part D or Illinois Cares Rx and want to enroll in a program, [is] that you need to pick a plan and sign up quickly to avoid a late-enrollment penalty," Bomke said. "Additionally, I know the rules for coverage are complicated, so anyone having a difficult time should contact the state Department on Aging at 1 [phone], their local Area Agency on Aging or the community senior citizens center."

[News release from Sen. Larry Bomke]