Open enrollment for Medicare Part D prescription coverage began November 15 and will end December 31, 2007. The University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy, in partnership with the Medicare Rx Access Network, will hold an educational seminar for the public on Monday, December 3, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Garden Campus, located in Oakwood,VA. Trained pharmacists and pharmacy students will help participants select the most appropriate and cost-effective Medicare prescription drug plan.

All seniors, including those already enrolled in a plan, should review their options. On average, there will be 53 Medicare Part D plans offered in each state during 2008. While the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a modest 3.1 percent average increase in monthly premiums for Medicare Part D plans, seniors who are currently enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan are highly encouraged to review their current plan for changes in potential out of pocket costs, like the deductible and coverage of current or anticipated prescription drugs. In recently released data, CMS predicts that 91 percent of current Medicare beneficiaries will have access to lower cost Medicare Part D plans in 2008, as compared to 83 percent of the Medicare beneficiaries in 2007.

Seniors will be presented with a list of the top plans that best meet their needs, including information on estimated annual cost, monthly premium, deductible, limitations on medications and gap coverage. The trained leaders can assist participants in the enrollment process.

Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for extra help if they have limited income and resources. The extra help can increase their cost savings by paying for part of the monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments under the new prescription drug program. The extra help could be worth more than $3,300 per year.

Beneficiaries attending the session should bring:

• Medicare ID Card
• Full Mailing Address
• Preferred Pharmacy and the Address for the Pharmacy
• List of Drugs, Dosage and Frequency
• Any recent letters you have received from Social Security or Medicare
• Information on your current prescription drug coverage
• If applying for the low income subsidy through Social Security, a list of annual income and financial resources

Contact:
Sarah T. Melton, PharmD
Associate Professor
University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy
1060 Dragon Road
Oakwood, Virginia 24631
(276) 498-4190
smelton@uacp.org

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