A Dec. 20 Health article contained an incorrect telephone number for reaching Medicare counselors in the District. The correct number is 202-739-0668.
How to Ease Plan Changeover Shock
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Tuesday, December 20, 2005
To help dual eligibles -- people who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare -- make a smooth transition to a new insurance plan for prescription drugs, experts suggest that these beneficiaries or their caregivers do the following:
Review the yellow letter that Medicare sent you this fall, and follow the instructions. Call the drug plan to which you have been assigned -- the phone number is included in the yellow letter -- and find out if the drugs that you use are covered, if access to these medications is restricted in any way and whether the pharmacy you use is included in the plan's network.
If you don't have the yellow letter, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Ask to which plan you have been assigned, and ask for a list of all the plans you can join without paying a monthly premium. Instead of calling Medicare, you can ask your pharmacist which plan you are scheduled to join. (Pharmacists have or soon should have access to this information via their computer systems.)
Talk with a family member, friend, case manager or a State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor about your options. They can help you find out whether your medications are covered by a particular drug plan and tell you which plans allow you to use your favorite pharmacy. Logging on to Medicare's Web site, http:/
Pick a plan that best suits your needs. Keep in mind that the drug plan Medicare has assigned you to join may not cover all your drugs and may not allow you to continue using your pharmacy. Enrolling in a different plan will automatically remove you from the plan Medicare has assigned to you.
Bring along your Medicare and Medicaid cards when you first visit your pharmacy in 2006. For those who have not been enrolled in advance, there will be a procedure in place at the pharmacy to enroll you in a plan that is appropriate for you and to get your prescriptions filled immediately.
Dual-eligible beneficiaries can switch plans as often as they want. Such changes take effect on the first of each month.
