Rising prescription drug costs place a great financial burden on our senior citizens who too often struggle to afford both their medications and their daily expenses on a fixed income.  To assist our seniors with their prescription drug costs, Congress passed the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act and created a voluntary and flexible prescription drug benefit under Medicare.

Starting January 1, 2006, Medicare will provide Nevada’s seniors with a new way to save money on their prescription drugs. Anyone who is eligible for Medicare is also eligible for the Prescription Drug Benefit.  But to take advantage of the savings, seniors need to sign up.  November 15, 2005 is the first day to sign up for the new drug coverage under Medicare.  May 15, 2006 is the last day seniors can enroll for 2006 coverage without paying a higher premium.  Enrollment in this benefit is 100% voluntary, but seniors could see significant savings on prescription drug costs under the program.

In Nevada, there are 18 different programs offering Medicare prescription drug coverage.  Seniors currently enrolled in Medicare will receive information about their options in the mail.  They can also call 1-800-MEDICARE for more information, to verify eligibility, or to request an application.  Additionally, the Medicare website provides helpful, interactive assistance.  Seniors can go to www.medicare.gov  and enter the prescriptions they regularly take and the website will help them decide what local plan is best.  To determine the program that best fits their needs, seniors should make note of any current or additional drug coverage, preferences about pharmacies, and the prescription drugs they need covered.

Extra assistance is available for those with limited income and resources.  The amount of extra help available depends on a senior’s income and financial resources.  Seven of the programs offered in Nevada will have prescription drug plans available with no premium to beneficiaries who qualify for extra help.

The new Medicare prescription drug benefit provides seniors with a viable means to save money on the medications they need.  I encourage all seniors in Nevada to explore their options and should they have questions, answers are only a phone call away.  Seniors can call Medicare 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-800-MEDICARE for help.  And seniors can also get personalized, local assistance by calling the Nevada State Health Insurance Advisory Program (SHIP) at 1-800-307-4444.  The new Medicare prescription drug benefit can provide significant savings to our seniors so they no longer have to choose between affording medicine and paying their monthly bills.  As Nevada’s seniors learn more about the prescription drug coverage available under Medicare, I stand ready and willing to lend my help and support so every senior can take full advantage of the savings the new program can provide.